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In a notable move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have signed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a two-year contract bringing in the power-hitting player.

Deal Structure and Incentives

The deal features a seven-figure signing bonus, payable within 30 days, in addition to annual pay of $16 million for the upcoming season and $17 million for the following year.

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

• $1 million for earning the MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for ranking in the top ten.
• An identical bonus for winning the Rookie of the Year honor.

His deal also stipulates that he cannot be assigned to the farm system without his permission and allows him to become a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the deal. Extra provisions include a dedicated interpreter and airfare between the U.S. and Japan.

Posting Fee and Team Legacy

As part of the signing, Chicago must pay a transfer fee of $6,575,000 to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's NPB. The Japanese club get a supplemental fee of 15% triggered incentive payments.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth Japanese-born to suit up for the South Siders, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 in February, bolsters a emerging group of offensive players in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are coming off a 60-102 season, finishing at the bottom in the AL Central but showing a 19-game improvement from the year before campaign.

Having earned league MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is renowned for a historic 2022 season where he hit 56 home runs, breaking the longstanding record for a player in Japan previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to achieve Japan's elusive Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to 56 games due to an side strain. Even with fanning 64 Ks, he hit .273 with 22 home runs and 47 runs batted in.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has posted a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBI, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 contests. Initially playing mainly at first, he has more recently played to the hot corner.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's big-game performance were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he hit a victory-sealing double that scored teammates for a thrilling one-run win. The next night in the championship game against the Team USA, he hit a tying shot in the early innings, helping Japan's 3-2 3-2 victory.

The lefty slugger is slated to be formally introduced at a press conference on the coming Monday.