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In a significant move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have officially added infielder Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a $34 million contract with the accomplished player.

Financial Terms and Added Benefits

The agreement features a seven-figure signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with annual pay of $16M for the next season and $17M for the following year.

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

• An additional $1M for earning the MVP award.
• $500K for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing in the top ten.
• $250,000 for winning the Rookie of the Year honor.

His deal also stipulates that he will not be optioned to the farm system without his permission and grants him a free agent at the conclusion of the contract. Further benefits include a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between his home country and the States.

Posting Fee and Historical Context

As part of the signing, Chicago must pay a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's Central League. The Yakult organization are also entitled to a 15% cut of 15% triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth-ever Japanese to suit up for the Chicago franchise, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu previously coached Murakami during their time in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a lefty bat who will turn 26 on February 2nd, enters a young 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 last in the American League Central but showing a significant improvement from the previous campaign.

A two-time Central League MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is renowned for a historic 2022 season where he belted 56 home runs, eclipsing the longstanding record for a NPB hitter formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the most youthful hitter ever to achieve Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Even with striking out often, he hit .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

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

Global Stage Success

Murakami's heroics were on center stage during the 2023 WBC. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he hit a victory-sealing two-base hit that scored teammates for a dramatic 6-5 win. The next night in the final against the USA, he hit a game-tying shot in the early innings, helping Japan's eventual title triumph.

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