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In a notable move for their overhauling roster, the Chicago White Sox have welcomed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a $34 million contract bringing in the accomplished player.

Contract Details and Added Benefits

The agreement includes a seven-figure signing bonus, issued within 30 days, alongside annual pay of $16 million for the next season and seventeen million for the 2027 year.

Notably, Murakami's compensation can increase based on award achievements in 2026:

• An additional $1M for winning the league MVP award.
• $500K for placing in the top three in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing between fourth and tenth.
• An identical bonus for being named the Rookie of the Year honor.

The contract provides that he cannot be assigned to the farm system without his consent and makes him a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the term. Additional perks include a club-supplied interpreter and travel costs between the U.S. and Japan.

Posting Fee and Historical Context

As part of the signing, Chicago must pay a posting fee of $6,575,000 to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's professional league. The Swallows are also entitled to a supplemental fee of any triggered incentive payments.

Murakami will become the fourth Japanese-born to suit up for the Chicago franchise, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu previously coached Murakami back in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 soon, bolsters a promising lineup in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are coming off a 60-102 season, finishing last in the American League Central but showing a notable improvement from the previous campaign.

Having earned Central League MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami made history with a historic 2022 season where he launched 56 homers, surpassing the longstanding record for a player in Japan formerly held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown.

His last year was curtailed to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Despite recording often, he hit .273 with 22 home runs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has posted a .270 career batting average with 246 home runs, 647 runs batted in, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 games. Early in his career playing mostly at first, he has spent most of his time to third.

International Pedigree

Murakami's heroics were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semi-final against Mexico, he drove in a walk-off two-base hit that scored two fellow Japanese stars for a dramatic 6-5 win. The very next day in the final against the Team USA, he blasted a game-tying homer in the second inning, helping Japan's 3-2 championship win.

The new White Sox addition is set to be officially presented at a media availability on Monday.