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In a major move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have welcomed slugger Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a lucrative contract with the accomplished player.

Deal Structure and Incentives

The contract features a seven-figure signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with annual pay of $16 million for the next season and $17M for the final year.

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

• $1 million for winning the Most Valuable Player award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250K for ranking in the top ten.
• An identical bonus for being named the top rookie honor.

The contract provides that he cannot be sent to the minors without his approval and allows him to become a free agent at the termination of the contract. Further benefits include a team-provided interpreter and airfare between Japan and the U.S..

Transfer Payment and Franchise History

As part of the transaction, Chicago must pay a transfer fee of over $6.5 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's NPB. The Swallows would also receive a supplemental fee of fifteen percent triggered salary escalators.

Murakami is set to become the fourth Japanese-born to suit up for the Chicago franchise, following pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu once managed Murakami during their time in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 soon, bolsters a young lineup in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are coming off a last-place season, placing at the bottom in the American League Central but showing a notable improvement from the previous campaign.

A two-time league MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is famous for a historic 2022 season where he hit 56 HRs, breaking the longstanding record for a NPB hitter formerly held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the youngest player ever to win Japan's prestigious Triple Crown.

His 2023 season was curtailed to a partial schedule due to an muscle issue. Even with recording 64 Ks, he hit .273 with 22 HRs and 47 driven in.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has accumulated a .270 career batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 games. Early in his career playing primarily at first base, he has more recently played to third base.

WBC Heroics

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the last World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he delivered a game-ending double that brought home two fellow Japanese stars for a thrilling one-run win. The following day in the final against the Team USA, he hit a game-tying home run in the second inning, setting the stage for Japan's 3-2 championship win.

The new White Sox addition is set to be unveiled at a introductory event on Monday.