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In a major move for their rebuilding roster, the South Side team have welcomed slugger Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a two-year contract with the power-hitting player.

Financial Terms and Added Benefits

The agreement features a substantial signing bonus, payable within 30 days, in addition to annual pay of sixteen million for the upcoming season and $17 million for the following year.

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

• $1 million for being named the league MVP award.
• $500,000 for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for finishing fourth through 10th.
• Another $250,000 for earning the ROY honor.

The contract also stipulates that he cannot be assigned to the minor leagues without his approval and allows him to become a free agent at the termination of the term. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S..

Compensation and Franchise History

As part of the transaction, Chicago is obligated to provide a transfer fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's professional league. The Swallows are also entitled to a supplemental fee of any triggered incentive payments.

Murakami is set to become the fourth player from Japan to represent the Chicago franchise, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 soon, enters a emerging group of offensive players in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are coming off a difficult season, finishing last in the division but representing a 19-game improvement from the prior campaign.

Having earned Most Valuable Player honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami made history with a monumental 2022 season where he launched 56 home runs, eclipsing the single-season record for a player in Japan previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was shortened to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Even with fanning often, he hit .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has posted a .270 career batting average with 246 home runs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 Ks in 892 contests. Early in his career playing mostly at first base, he has since transitioned to the hot corner.

International Pedigree

Murakami's clutch hitting were on global view during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semi-final against Mexico, he drove in a game-ending two-base hit that brought home teammates for a thrilling 6-5 win. The next night in the championship game against the United States, he hit a game-tying homer in the early innings, setting the stage for Japan's 3-2 championship win.

The lefty slugger is slated to be unveiled at a introductory event on Monday.