Chicago's MLB Team Sign Japanese Slugger Munetaka Murakami on a Major $34 Million Contract.

In a notable move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have signed slugger Munetaka Murakami, completing a $34 million contract for the high-profile player.

Contract Details and Player Perks

The deal grants a $1 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days, combined with salaries of $16M for the next season and seventeen million for the 2027 year.

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

• $1 million for winning the MVP award.
• $500,000 for finishing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for ranking between fourth and tenth.
• An identical bonus for winning the ROY honor.

The contract also stipulates that he cannot be sent to the minors without his permission and grants him a unrestricted player at the termination of the term. Extra provisions include a club-supplied interpreter and flight reimbursement between his home country and the States.

Posting Fee and Franchise History

As part of the signing, Chicago must pay a transfer fee of $6,575,000 to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's professional league. The Swallows would also receive a supplemental fee of any triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami is set to become the fourth Japanese to suit up for the South Siders, joining pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu previously coached Murakami back in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who turns 26 in February, bolsters a emerging 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, placing at the bottom in the division but showing a significant improvement from the previous campaign.

A two-time league MVP honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami made history with a record-breaking 2022 season where he belted 56 home runs, eclipsing the all-time record for a Japanese-born player formerly held by legend 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 just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Even with recording 64 times, he hit .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has accumulated a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBI, and 977 Ks in nearly 900 games. Early in his career playing mainly at first base, he has since transitioned to third base.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the 2023 WBC. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a walk-off two-base hit that brought home Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a dramatic 6-5 victory. The following day in the championship game against the Team USA, he hit a equalizing shot in the early innings, helping Japan's eventual 3-2 victory.

The power hitter is scheduled to be officially presented at a media availability on Monday.