🔗 Share this article

In a significant move for their retooling roster, the American League club have officially added slugger Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a lucrative contract for the power-hitting player.

Deal Structure and Player Perks

The deal features a seven-figure signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with compensation of $16 million for the next season and seventeen million for the 2027 year.

Notably, Murakami's final-year pay is subject to escalators based on accolade achievements in 2026:

• An additional $1M for being named the league MVP award.
• $500K for placing second or third in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for placing between fourth and tenth.
• $250,000 for being named the top rookie honor.

The agreement also stipulates that he will not be optioned to the minor leagues without his permission and grants him a free agent at the conclusion of the term. Additional perks include a dedicated interpreter and airfare between Japan and the U.S..

Posting Fee and Historical Context

As part of the signing, Chicago owes a posting fee of $6,575,000 to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's Central League. The Yakult organization would also receive a 15% cut of fifteen percent triggered incentive payments.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth Japanese-born to play for the Chicago franchise, following pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu previously coached Murakami back in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-side batter who will turn 26 soon, bolsters a young 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 American League 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 historic 2022 season where he hit 56 homers, breaking the all-time record for a Japanese-born player formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the youngest player ever to achieve Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to 56 games due to an muscle issue. Despite fanning 64 times, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 runs batted in.

Over his career tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has accumulated a .270 batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBIs, and 977 strikeouts in 892 contests. Initially playing primarily at first base, he has spent most of his time to the hot corner.

International Pedigree

Murakami's clutch hitting were on full display during the 2023 WBC. In the semi-final against Mexico, he hit a game-ending two-base hit that drove in teammates for a come-from-behind 6-5 victory. The very next day in the final against the Team USA, he slugged a tying shot in the second inning, setting the stage for Japan's eventual 3-2 victory.

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