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In a major move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have officially added infielder Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a $34 million contract bringing in the high-profile player.

Deal Structure and Added Benefits

The contract features a $1 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days, in addition to annual pay of sixteen million for the 2026 season and $17M for the 2027 year.

Notably, Murakami's compensation can increase based on performance achievements in 2026:

• An additional $1M for winning the Most Valuable Player award.
• $500,000 for placing in the top three in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for ranking between fourth and tenth.
• $250,000 for earning the Rookie of the Year honor.

His deal includes that he cannot be assigned to the farm system without his consent and grants him a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the term. Further benefits include a club-supplied interpreter and flight reimbursement between the U.S. and Japan.

Transfer Payment and Historical Context

As part of the acquisition, Chicago is obligated to provide a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's professional league. The Japanese club get a additional payment of any triggered incentive payments.

Murakami is set to become the fourth-ever Japanese to play for the Chicago franchise, in the footsteps of reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami while both were in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-side batter who turns 26 soon, bolsters a emerging lineup 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 AL Central but representing a 19-game improvement from the previous campaign.

A two-time league MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami made history with a monumental 2022 season where he hit 56 home runs, breaking the all-time record for a Japanese-born player previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's coveted batting Triple Crown.

His 2023 season was limited to just 56 appearances due to an side strain. Despite fanning 64 Ks, he hit .273 with 22 homers and 47 runs batted in.

Over his career tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has compiled a .270 batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBIs, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 contests. Initially playing mostly at first base, he has more recently played to third.

International Pedigree

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he delivered a game-ending double that brought home teammates for a dramatic 6-5 win. The very next day in the title match against the USA, he hit a game-tying shot in the second inning, paving the way for Japan's eventual 3-2 victory.

The power hitter is set to be unveiled at a media availability on Monday.