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In a notable move for their rebuilding roster, the American League club have signed slugger Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a lucrative contract for the accomplished player.

Contract Details and Incentives

The contract includes a substantial signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with compensation of $16 million for the upcoming season and $17 million for the final year.

Additionally, Murakami's 2027 salary can increase based on accolade achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for earning the Most Valuable Player award.
• $500,000 for placing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for ranking in the top ten.
• $250,000 for being named the top rookie honor.

The contract provides that he cannot be assigned to the minors without his permission and allows him to become a unrestricted player at the conclusion 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 signing, Chicago is obligated to provide a posting fee of $6,575,000 to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's professional league. The Swallows are also entitled to a 15% cut of any triggered salary escalators.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth-ever player from Japan to represent the Chicago franchise, following pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami while both were in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 in February, enters a promising 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, placing last in the division but representing a 19-game improvement from the year before campaign.

The winner of back-to-back Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is renowned for a historic 2022 season where he hit 56 HRs, surpassing the single-season record for a NPB hitter formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the youngest player ever to secure Japan's prestigious Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to just 56 appearances due to an side strain. Despite recording 64 Ks, he hit .273 with 22 homers and 47 driven in.

Over his career tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has compiled a .270 career batting average with 246 homers, 647 RBIs, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 games. He started playing mostly at first, he has spent most of his time to third.

International Pedigree

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the 2023 WBC. In the semi-final against Mexico, he hit a walk-off two-base hit that brought home teammates for a thrilling 6-5 win. The following day in the championship game against the United States, he slugged a tying shot in the early innings, helping Japan's subsequent championship win.

The new White Sox addition is slated to be formally introduced at a introductory event on Monday.