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In a significant move for their overhauling roster, the South Side team have officially added Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a two-year contract bringing in the power-hitting player.

Deal Structure and Player Perks

The deal grants a substantial signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, alongside annual pay of sixteen million for the next season and $17 million for the final year.

Additionally, Murakami's 2027 salary is subject to escalators based on performance achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for winning the Most Valuable Player award.
• $500K for finishing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250K for placing in the top ten.
• $250,000 for being named the ROY honor.

The agreement includes that he cannot be sent to the minors without his permission and allows him to become a free agent at the conclusion of the contract. Further benefits include a team-provided interpreter and travel costs between his home country and the States.

Transfer Payment and Historical Context

As part of the signing, Chicago owes a compensation payment of $6,575,000 to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's NPB. The Japanese club would also receive a additional payment of fifteen percent triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth-ever player from Japan to suit up for the South Siders, joining pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu previously coached Murakami while both were in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-side batter who turns 26 on February 2nd, bolsters a young group of offensive players in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are coming off a 60-102 season, finishing last in the division but representing a significant improvement from the prior campaign.

A two-time Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is famous for a monumental 2022 season where he belted 56 HRs, breaking the longstanding record for a player in Japan previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's elusive Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Even with fanning often, he hit .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

Over his career tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has posted a .270 batting average with 246 homers, 647 RBIs, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in nearly 900 games. He started playing primarily at first, he has more recently played to third base.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's heroics were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he hit a game-ending double that scored two fellow Japanese stars for a thrilling 6-5 victory. The following day in the title match against the United States, he slugged a tying home run in the second inning, setting the stage for Japan's subsequent 3-2 victory.

The power hitter is slated to be formally introduced at a media availability on Monday.