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In a significant move for their overhauling roster, the Chicago White Sox have officially added Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a $34 million contract for the high-profile player.

Financial Terms and Added Benefits

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

Importantly, Murakami's final-year pay can increase based on performance achievements in 2026:

• An additional $1M for earning the league MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing in the top three in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for finishing in the top ten.
• Another $250,000 for earning the top rookie honor.

The contract includes that he cannot be sent to the minors without his permission and makes him a free agent at the conclusion of the term. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and airfare between Japan and the U.S..

Compensation and Franchise History

As part of the transaction, Chicago must pay a compensation payment of $6,575,000 to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's professional league. The Japanese club would also receive a additional payment of fifteen percent triggered salary escalators.

Murakami is set to become the fourth-ever Japanese-born to represent the Chicago franchise, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami back in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a left-side batter who will turn 26 on February 2nd, bolsters a young lineup in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are finished with a difficult season, placing at the bottom in the division but representing a notable improvement from the prior campaign.

A two-time league MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami made history with a historic 2022 season where he hit 56 HRs, surpassing the longstanding record for a Japanese-born player formerly held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.

His last year was curtailed to a partial schedule due to an side strain. Despite fanning often, he hit .273 with 22 homers and 47 runs batted in.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has accumulated a .270 batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBIs, and 977 Ks in nearly 900 games. Early in his career playing mainly at first base, he has more recently played to third base.

International Pedigree

Murakami's big-game performance were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he hit a victory-sealing two-base hit that brought home Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a thrilling one-run win. The following day in the final against the USA, he slugged a equalizing shot in the early innings, paving the way for Japan's subsequent 3-2 victory.

The lefty slugger is set to be officially presented at a press conference on Monday.