🔗 Share this article Chicago's MLB Team Sign Power Bat Munetaka Murakami on an Major $34 Million Contract. In a significant move for their rebuilding roster, the American League club have welcomed slugger Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a lucrative contract for the high-profile player. Financial Terms and Added Benefits The contract includes a substantial signing bonus, issued within 30 days, alongside annual pay of $16 million for the upcoming season and seventeen million for the final year. Notably, Murakami's 2027 salary can increase based on performance achievements in 2026: A seven-figure bonus for winning the league MVP award. $500K for placing second or third in MVP voting. $250,000 for finishing in the top ten. An identical bonus for winning the Rookie of the Year honor. His deal provides that he cannot be assigned to the minor leagues without his permission and grants him a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the deal. Further benefits include a club-supplied interpreter and travel costs between his home country and the States. Compensation and Team Legacy As part of the acquisition, Chicago owes a transfer fee of $6,575,000 to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's NPB. The Yakult organization get a supplemental fee of fifteen percent triggered salary escalators. Murakami is set to become the fourth Japanese-born to represent the South Siders, following pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu previously coached Murakami while both were in Japan. Player Profile Murakami, a lefty bat who will turn 26 in February, enters a emerging core of hitters in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are finished with a 60-102 season, finishing last in the division but showing a 19-game improvement from the previous campaign. A two-time league MVP honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is renowned for a record-breaking 2022 season where he belted 56 home runs, breaking the all-time record for a Japanese-born player formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the youngest player ever to win Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown. His 2023 season was limited to a partial schedule due to an side strain. Despite fanning 64 times, he hit .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs. Over his career tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has posted a .270 batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 strikeouts in nearly 900 games. Early in his career playing mainly at first base, he has since transitioned to the hot corner. International Pedigree Murakami's heroics were on full display during the last World Baseball Classic. In the semi-final against Mexico, he drove in a game-ending two-base hit that scored two fellow Japanese stars for a come-from-behind 6-5 victory. The next night in the final against the USA, he blasted a equalizing shot in the early innings, setting the stage for Japan's eventual 3-2 victory. The new White Sox addition is scheduled to be officially presented at a media availability on the coming Monday.