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In a notable move for their overhauling roster, the American League club have welcomed infielder Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a $34 million contract with the accomplished player.

Financial Terms and Player Perks

The contract features a $1 million signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, in addition to salaries of $16 million for the upcoming season and $17 million for the 2027 year.

Additionally, Murakami's 2027 salary may grow based on performance achievements in 2026:

• A seven-figure bonus for winning the league MVP award.
• $500K for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250K for placing fourth through 10th.
• Another $250,000 for earning the ROY honor.

The agreement also stipulates that he cannot be sent to the minor leagues without his consent and grants him a unrestricted player at the end of the contract. Additional perks include a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between the U.S. and Japan.

Posting Fee and Team Legacy

As part of the signing, Chicago owes a transfer fee of over $6.5 million to the Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's professional league. The Swallows get a 15% cut of 15% triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami is set to become the fourth-ever player from Japan to represent the White Sox, joining pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu previously coached Murakami back in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who turns 26 soon, enters a promising group of offensive players in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are finished with a last-place season, placing last in the AL Central but representing a notable improvement from the previous campaign.

Having earned Central League MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami made history with a monumental 2022 season where he hit 56 homers, surpassing the longstanding record for a player in Japan previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the youngest player ever to win Japan's coveted batting Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was curtailed to a partial schedule due to an side strain. Despite striking out 64 times, he hit .273 with 22 HRs and 47 runs batted in.

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

International Pedigree

Murakami's clutch hitting were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he delivered a victory-sealing double that drove in teammates for a dramatic one-run win. The next night in the final against the United States, he hit a game-tying home run in the second inning, helping Japan's eventual 3-2 victory.

The new White Sox addition is scheduled to be unveiled at a press conference on the coming Monday.