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In a significant move for their retooling roster, the Chicago White Sox have signed infielder Munetaka Murakami, completing a $34 million contract for the power-hitting player.

Deal Structure and Incentives

The contract features a seven-figure signing bonus, issued within 30 days, combined with salaries of $16 million for the next season and $17 million for the following year.

Notably, Murakami's final-year pay is subject to escalators based on award achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for winning the league MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for placing in the top three in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for placing in the top ten.
• $250,000 for winning the Rookie of the Year honor.

The contract includes that he will not be optioned to the farm system without his consent and makes him a free agent at the conclusion of the deal. Additional perks include a dedicated interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S..

Transfer Payment and Team Legacy

As part of the transaction, Chicago is obligated to provide a compensation payment of over $6.5 million to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's Central League. The Swallows get a supplemental fee of 15% triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth Japanese to suit up for the Chicago franchise, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a lefty bat who will turn 26 in February, joins a promising core of hitters in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are finished with a difficult season, finishing last in the AL Central but showing a 19-game improvement from the prior campaign.

Having earned Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is renowned for a historic 2022 season where he belted 56 home runs, breaking the single-season record for a Japanese-born player formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.

His 2023 season was limited to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Despite striking out 64 Ks, he still managed .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs.

Over his career tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has accumulated a .270 career batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBIs, and 977 Ks in 892 contests. He started playing mostly at first base, he has more recently played to the hot corner.

WBC Heroics

Murakami's clutch hitting were on global view during the last World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a game-ending two-base hit that brought home teammates for a dramatic one-run win. The next night in the title match against the United States, he hit a game-tying home run in the second inning, helping Japan's 3-2 title triumph.

The lefty slugger is slated to be officially presented at a introductory event on Monday.