🔗 Share this article

In a major move for their rebuilding roster, the American League club have officially added Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a two-year contract with the accomplished player.

Financial Terms and Incentives

The agreement features a $1 million signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with annual pay of sixteen million for the next season and $17 million for the 2027 year.

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

• An additional $1M for winning the Most Valuable Player award.
• $500K for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for ranking between fourth and tenth.
• An identical bonus for winning the top rookie honor.

The contract includes that he cannot be sent to the minor leagues without his permission and grants him a unrestricted player at the termination of the deal. Additional perks include a club-supplied interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S..

Compensation and Franchise History

As part of the transaction, Chicago owes a posting fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's professional league. The Swallows would also receive a additional payment of any triggered incentive payments.

Murakami will become the fourth player from Japan to represent the Chicago franchise, joining pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu previously coached Murakami back in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-side batter who will turn 26 in February, bolsters a young group of offensive players in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are coming off a difficult season, finishing at the bottom in the American League Central but representing a significant improvement from the prior campaign.

A two-time Central League MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is famous for a historic 2022 season where he hit 56 HRs, surpassing the all-time record for a Japanese-born player previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's prestigious Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to a partial schedule due to an side strain. Despite fanning often, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 runs batted in.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has compiled a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBIs, and 977 strikeouts in 892 contests. Initially playing primarily at first, he has since transitioned to the hot corner.

International Pedigree

Murakami's heroics were on full display during the 2023 WBC. In the semi-final against Mexico, he drove in a walk-off double that drove in two fellow Japanese stars for a dramatic 6-5 victory. The following day in the championship game against the United States, he hit a tying homer in the second inning, helping Japan's subsequent championship win.

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