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In a significant move for their rebuilding roster, the South Side team have officially added Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a lucrative contract for the accomplished player.

Contract Details and Added Benefits

The deal grants a substantial signing bonus, issued within 30 days, combined with compensation of sixteen million for the upcoming season and $17 million for the following year.

Notably, Murakami's 2027 salary may grow based on award achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for winning the league MVP award.
• $500K for finishing in the top three in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for placing between fourth and tenth.
• Another $250,000 for earning the top rookie honor.

The contract also stipulates that he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent and makes him a free agent at the conclusion of the contract. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and travel costs between Japan and the U.S..

Transfer Payment and Team Legacy

As part of the transaction, Chicago must pay a compensation payment of $6,575,000 to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's Central League. The Swallows get a supplemental fee of any triggered incentive payments.

Murakami is set to become the fourth Japanese to represent the White Sox, in the footsteps of pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 in February, bolsters a emerging group of offensive players in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are finished with a 60-102 season, finishing at the bottom in the American League Central but representing a notable improvement from the year before campaign.

A two-time league MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is famous for a record-breaking 2022 season where he launched 56 home runs, surpassing the single-season record for a player in Japan previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the youngest player ever to secure Japan's elusive Triple Crown.

His last year was curtailed to 56 games due to an muscle issue. Even with striking out 64 times, he batted .273 with 22 HRs and 47 driven in.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has accumulated a .270 batting average with 246 homers, 647 runs batted in, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 games. Early in his career playing mainly at first, he has since transitioned to third.

WBC Heroics

Murakami's heroics were on center stage during the 2023 WBC. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he drove in a victory-sealing double that scored Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind 6-5 victory. The following day in the title match against the Team USA, he hit a tying home run in the second inning, setting the stage for Japan's subsequent 3-2 victory.

The lefty slugger is slated to be officially presented at a media availability on Monday.