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In a significant move for their rebuilding roster, the American League club have welcomed infielder Munetaka Murakami, completing a $34 million contract with the power-hitting player.

Contract Details and Player Perks

The agreement includes a substantial signing bonus, payable within 30 days, combined with salaries of $16M for the next season and $17 million for the 2027 year.

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

• $1 million for earning the Most Valuable Player award.
• $500K for finishing second or third in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for ranking between fourth and tenth.
• Another $250,000 for being named the top rookie honor.

His deal includes that he cannot be assigned to the farm system without his permission and makes him a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the contract. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and airfare between Japan and the U.S..

Transfer Payment and Franchise History

As part of the acquisition, Chicago must pay a compensation payment of $6,575,000 to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's Central League. The Japanese club get a supplemental fee of any triggered salary escalators.

Murakami will become the fourth Japanese to play for the Chicago franchise, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu previously coached Murakami during their time in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a left-side batter who will turn 26 in February, bolsters a emerging core of hitters in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are finished with a difficult season, finishing at the bottom in the AL Central but representing a significant improvement from the previous campaign.

Having earned league MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is famous for a record-breaking 2022 season where he belted 56 HRs, breaking the single-season record for a player in Japan formerly held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's coveted Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was shortened to 56 games due to an muscle issue. Despite striking out 64 Ks, he hit .273 with 22 home runs and 47 driven in.

Over his career tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has accumulated a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBIs, and 977 Ks in 892 contests. He started playing mainly at first, he has more recently played to third base.

International Pedigree

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the last World Baseball Classic. In the semi-final against Mexico, he drove in a walk-off two-base hit that scored Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind 6-5 victory. The very next day in the championship game against the Team USA, he slugged a tying homer in the early innings, helping Japan's subsequent championship win.

The power hitter is slated to be formally introduced at a introductory event on the coming Monday.