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In a major move for their rebuilding roster, the American League club have officially added Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, completing a lucrative contract for the high-profile player.

Financial Terms and Incentives

The agreement features a $1 million signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, in addition to annual pay of $16M for the 2026 season and $17M for the 2027 year.

Importantly, Murakami's 2027 salary can increase based on award achievements in 2026:

• A seven-figure bonus for winning the Most Valuable Player award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for placing in the top ten.
• An identical bonus for being named the Rookie of the Year honor.

The agreement includes that he cannot be assigned to the minors without his consent and grants him a free agent at the termination of the term. Extra provisions include a dedicated interpreter and flight reimbursement between the U.S. and Japan.

Compensation and Franchise History

As part of the transaction, Chicago must pay a compensation payment of roughly $6.58 million to the Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's Central League. The Yakult organization are also entitled to a additional payment of any triggered salary escalators.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth-ever Japanese-born to suit up for the South Siders, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu previously coached Murakami while both were in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who turns 26 in February, bolsters a young group of offensive players in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are finished with a difficult season, placing at the bottom in the AL Central but showing a significant improvement from the year before campaign.

Having earned league MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami made history with a historic 2022 season where he belted 56 home runs, surpassing the single-season record for a player in Japan formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown.

His 2023 season was limited to just 56 appearances due to an oblique injury. Even with fanning often, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has posted a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBIs, and 977 Ks in nearly 900 games. He started playing mainly at first, he has more recently played to third base.

International Pedigree

Murakami's heroics were on global view during the 2023 WBC. In the semi-final against Mexico, he drove in a victory-sealing two-base hit that scored two fellow Japanese stars for a dramatic 6-5 victory. The next night in the title match against the Team USA, he blasted a game-tying home run in the early innings, paving the way for Japan's subsequent championship win.

The power hitter is set to be officially presented at a press conference on the coming Monday.