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In a notable move for their rebuilding roster, the Chicago White Sox have signed infielder Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a lucrative contract with the high-profile player.

Contract Details and Added Benefits

The contract grants a $1 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days, in addition to annual pay of $16 million for the next season and $17M for the 2027 year.

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

• An additional $1M for being named 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 winning the top rookie honor.

His deal also stipulates that he cannot be assigned to the minor leagues without his consent and makes him a free agent at the conclusion of the term. Additional perks include a club-supplied interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S..

Posting Fee and Franchise History

As part of the signing, Chicago must pay a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's Central League. The Japanese club would also receive a supplemental fee of any triggered incentive payments.

Murakami will become the fourth player from Japan to play for the Chicago franchise, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu once managed Murakami back in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-side batter who turns 26 in February, enters a emerging core of hitters in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are coming off a 60-102 season, finishing last in the division but representing a notable improvement from the previous campaign.

Having earned Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami made history with a record-breaking 2022 season where he launched 56 HRs, eclipsing 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 secure Japan's prestigious Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was shortened to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Despite fanning often, he hit .273 with 22 home runs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has compiled a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 homers, 647 RBIs, and 977 Ks in 892 games. Early in his career playing mainly at first base, he has more recently played to the hot corner.

International Pedigree

Murakami's big-game performance were on center stage during the last World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he delivered a victory-sealing two-base hit that drove in teammates for a thrilling 6-5 victory. The following day in the championship game against the United States, he hit a game-tying home run in the second inning, setting the stage for Japan's subsequent championship win.

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