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In a significant move for their overhauling roster, the Chicago White Sox have welcomed infielder Munetaka Murakami, completing a two-year contract with the high-profile player.

Deal Structure and Incentives

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

Notably, Murakami's final-year pay is subject to escalators based on performance achievements in 2026:

• An additional $1M for winning the league MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250K for ranking in the top ten.
• $250,000 for earning the ROY honor.

The contract provides that he cannot be sent to the minor leagues without his permission and allows him to become a free agent at the termination of the deal. Further benefits include a dedicated interpreter and airfare between Japan and the U.S..

Compensation and Franchise History

As part of the transaction, Chicago owes a compensation payment of $6,575,000 to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's professional league. The Japanese club would also receive a additional payment of 15% triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami will become the fourth-ever player from Japan to play for the South Siders, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu once managed Murakami while both were in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-side batter who will turn 26 on February 2nd, enters a young core of hitters in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are finished with a difficult season, finishing at the bottom in the division but representing a 19-game improvement from the year before campaign.

A two-time Central League MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami made history with a record-breaking 2022 season where he hit 56 homers, breaking the all-time record for a NPB hitter previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's coveted Triple Crown.

His 2023 season was shortened to 56 games due to an oblique injury. Despite striking out 64 Ks, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has compiled a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 homers, 647 RBI, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 contests. Early in his career playing mostly at first base, he has since transitioned to third base.

WBC Heroics

Murakami's clutch hitting were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he hit a game-ending two-base hit that scored Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind one-run win. The very next day in the title match against the Team USA, he blasted a tying shot in the second inning, paving the way for Japan's eventual title triumph.

The lefty slugger is slated to be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday.