đź”— Share this article The White Sox Land Star Hitter Munetaka Murakami on a Lucrative Two-Year Agreement. In a notable move for their retooling roster, the American League club have officially added infielder Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a $34 million contract with the power-hitting player. Contract Details and Player Perks The agreement features a substantial signing bonus, issued within 30 days, combined with salaries of sixteen million for the 2026 season and $17M for the following year. Additionally, Murakami's 2027 salary may grow based on award achievements in 2026: $1 million for being named the Most Valuable Player award. $500K for placing second or third in MVP voting. $250,000 for placing between fourth and tenth. Another $250,000 for winning the Rookie of the Year honor. The contract provides that he will not be optioned to the farm system without his consent and grants him a free agent at the end of the contract. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between his home country and the States. Compensation and Historical Context As part of the signing, Chicago must pay a transfer fee of over $6.5 million to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's professional league. The Swallows get a additional payment of fifteen percent triggered incentive payments. Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth Japanese to represent the South Siders, in the footsteps of pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan. Player Profile Murakami, a left-side batter who will turn 26 soon, enters a promising lineup in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are coming off a 60-102 season, finishing at the bottom in the AL Central but showing a significant improvement from the previous campaign. A two-time Central League MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is famous for a record-breaking 2022 season where he belted 56 HRs, eclipsing the longstanding record for a Japanese-born player previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the youngest player ever to achieve Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown. His 2023 season was shortened to 56 games due to an muscle issue. Even with striking out 64 times, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 runs batted in. Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has compiled a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBIs, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 contests. He started playing mainly at first base, he has more recently played to third base. Global Stage Success Murakami's clutch hitting were on center stage during the 2023 WBC. In the semifinal against Mexico, he delivered a game-ending double that brought home teammates for a dramatic 6-5 victory. The following day in the final against the Team USA, he blasted a game-tying home run in the early innings, setting the stage for Japan's 3-2 3-2 victory. The new White Sox addition is slated to be unveiled at a media availability on Monday.