Chicago's MLB Team Secure Japanese Slugger Munetaka Murakami on an Substantial Two-Year Agreement.
In a major move for their overhauling roster, the American League club have signed slugger Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a $34 million contract bringing in the accomplished player.
Contract Details and Added Benefits
The agreement grants a $1 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days, in addition to annual pay of $16 million for the upcoming season and seventeen million for the following year.
Notably, Murakami's 2027 salary can increase based on accolade achievements in 2026:
- An additional $1M for winning the league MVP award.
- $500,000 for placing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
- $250K for placing between fourth and tenth.
- $250,000 for earning the top rookie honor.
His deal also stipulates that he will not be optioned to the farm system without his permission and makes him a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the contract. Further benefits include a team-provided interpreter and travel costs between his home country and the States.
Posting Fee and Franchise History
As part of the signing, Chicago is obligated to provide a compensation payment of roughly $6.58 million to the Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's Central League. The Yakult organization are also entitled to a supplemental fee of 15% triggered performance bonuses.
Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth-ever Japanese to play for the Chicago franchise, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami while both were in Japan.
Career Highlights
Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 in February, joins a emerging lineup in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are finished with a last-place season, placing at the bottom in the American League Central but representing a significant improvement from the prior campaign.
Having earned Most Valuable Player honors in '21 and '22, Murakami made history with a historic 2022 season where he belted 56 HRs, surpassing the longstanding record for a NPB hitter formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.
His last year was curtailed to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Even with fanning often, he batted .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.
Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has posted a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 contests. He started playing primarily at first base, he has more recently played to third base.
International Pedigree
Murakami's big-game performance were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he drove in a game-ending two-base hit that drove in two fellow Japanese stars for a thrilling 6-5 win. The following day in the title match against the USA, he slugged a equalizing shot in the second inning, paving the way for Japan's 3-2 title triumph.
The lefty slugger is scheduled to be unveiled at a press conference on the coming Monday.