🔗 Share this article

In a significant move for their rebuilding roster, the American League club have officially added slugger Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a lucrative contract bringing in the power-hitting player.

Contract Details and Player Perks

The deal grants a seven-figure signing bonus, payable within 30 days, combined with salaries of sixteen million for the upcoming season and $17M for the final year.

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

• An additional $1M for earning the league MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for placing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for placing in the top ten.
• An identical bonus for winning the Rookie of the Year honor.

His deal also stipulates that he cannot be sent to the minor leagues without his approval and grants him a free agent at the end of the term. Additional perks include a dedicated interpreter and flight reimbursement between the U.S. and Japan.

Posting Fee and Historical Context

As part of the transaction, Chicago is obligated to provide a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's NPB. The Yakult organization would also receive a supplemental fee of any triggered salary escalators.

Murakami will become the fourth Japanese-born to play for the Chicago franchise, joining pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu once managed Murakami back in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a left-side batter who will turn 26 on February 2nd, enters a emerging core of hitters in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are finished with a last-place season, finishing at the bottom in the American League Central but representing a notable improvement from the year before campaign.

Having earned Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is famous for a historic 2022 season where he hit 56 home runs, surpassing the single-season record for a Japanese-born player previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the youngest player ever to win Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown.

His last year was shortened to 56 games due to an muscle issue. Despite striking out 64 times, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 driven in.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has compiled a .270 batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBIs, and 977 strikeouts in 892 games. Early in his career playing mainly at first base, he has more recently played to the hot corner.

WBC Heroics

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the last World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he hit a victory-sealing two-base hit that brought home teammates for a come-from-behind one-run win. The very next day in the final against the Team USA, he blasted a game-tying shot in the early innings, helping Japan's 3-2 championship win.

The power hitter is scheduled to be formally introduced at a press conference on the coming Monday.