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In a significant move for their rebuilding roster, the Chicago White Sox have signed slugger Munetaka Murakami, completing a $34 million contract for the high-profile player.

Deal Structure and Player Perks

The agreement features a substantial signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with annual pay of $16 million for the upcoming season and $17M for the final year.

Additionally, Murakami's 2027 salary may grow based on award achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for being named the MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for placing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250K for ranking between fourth and tenth.
• $250,000 for winning the ROY honor.

His deal also stipulates that he will not be optioned to the minor leagues without his permission and makes him a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the deal. Extra provisions include a dedicated interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S..

Posting Fee and Franchise History

As part of the acquisition, Chicago is obligated to provide a posting fee of $6,575,000 to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's NPB. The Japanese club are also entitled to a supplemental fee of 15% triggered incentive payments.

Murakami will become the fourth Japanese-born to represent the Chicago franchise, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a left-side batter who turns 26 in February, joins a promising group of offensive players in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are coming off a difficult season, placing at the bottom in the American League Central but showing a notable improvement from the prior campaign.

A two-time league MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami made history with a record-breaking 2022 season where he belted 56 homers, breaking the longstanding record for a Japanese-born player previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to achieve Japan's coveted Triple Crown.

His last year was shortened to just 56 appearances due to an oblique injury. Despite recording 64 Ks, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 runs batted in.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has posted a .270 career batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 contests. He started playing mostly at first, he has more recently played to the hot corner.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he hit a game-ending double that scored Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind 6-5 win. The following day in the championship game against the Team USA, he hit a game-tying home run in the early innings, paving the way for Japan's eventual 3-2 victory.

The power hitter is scheduled to be officially presented at a introductory event on the coming Monday.