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In a major move for their overhauling roster, the American League club have officially added infielder Munetaka Murakami, completing a $34 million contract for the accomplished player.

Contract Details and Added Benefits

The contract includes a seven-figure signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, alongside annual pay of sixteen million for the 2026 season and $17M for the 2027 year.

Importantly, Murakami's final-year pay may grow based on performance achievements in 2026:

• A seven-figure bonus for winning the league MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250K for finishing fourth through 10th.
• An identical bonus for winning the top rookie honor.

The agreement provides that he will not be optioned to the farm system without his approval and allows him to become a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the contract. Further benefits include a dedicated interpreter and flight reimbursement between the U.S. and Japan.

Compensation and Franchise History

As part of the signing, Chicago owes a posting fee of $6,575,000 to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's NPB. The Japanese club are also entitled to a 15% cut of 15% triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami is set to become the fourth-ever player from Japan to suit up for the South Siders, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu previously coached Murakami during their time in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a left-side batter who will turn 26 in February, enters a emerging core of hitters in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are coming off a difficult season, placing at the bottom in the division but representing a notable improvement from the year before campaign.

Having earned league MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami made history with a record-breaking 2022 season where he hit 56 HRs, eclipsing the single-season record for a player in Japan previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.

His 2023 season was limited to 56 games due to an side strain. Even with recording 64 times, he still managed .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs.

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

International Pedigree

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the last World Baseball Classic. In the semi-final against Mexico, he hit a victory-sealing two-base hit that drove in teammates for a dramatic 6-5 victory. The next night in the title match against the USA, he blasted a tying home run in the early innings, setting the stage for Japan's 3-2 3-2 victory.

The power hitter is slated to be officially presented at a media availability on the coming Monday.