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In a significant move for their overhauling roster, the American League club have signed infielder Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a two-year contract for the high-profile player.

Contract Details and Added Benefits

The agreement includes a substantial signing bonus, issued within 30 days, alongside annual pay of $16M for the 2026 season and $17 million for the following year.

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

• An additional $1M for earning the MVP award.
• $500K for finishing in the top three in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing fourth through 10th.
• $250,000 for being named the ROY honor.

His deal also stipulates that he cannot be sent to the minor leagues without his consent and makes him a unrestricted player at the end of the contract. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and airfare between Japan and the U.S..

Compensation and Team Legacy

As part of the acquisition, Chicago must pay a compensation payment of $6,575,000 to the Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's Central League. The Yakult organization are also entitled to a 15% cut of fifteen percent triggered incentive payments.

Murakami is set to become the fourth Japanese-born to play for the South Siders, joining pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu previously coached Murakami while both were in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-side batter who will turn 26 in February, joins a promising core of hitters in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are finished with a difficult season, finishing last in the American League Central but representing a notable improvement from the previous campaign.

A two-time Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is famous for a historic 2022 season where he hit 56 homers, eclipsing the single-season record for a player in Japan formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the youngest player ever to secure Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.

His last year was curtailed to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Despite recording 64 Ks, he still managed .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs.

Over his career tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has posted a .270 career batting average with 246 home runs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 Ks in nearly 900 games. Initially playing primarily at first, he has spent most of his time to third.

WBC Heroics

Murakami's big-game performance were on full display during the last World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he delivered a victory-sealing double that scored Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind 6-5 win. The following day in the title match against the United States, he blasted a tying homer in the second inning, paving the way for Japan's 3-2 title triumph.

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