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In a significant move for their overhauling roster, the South Side team have officially added slugger Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a two-year contract for the high-profile player.

Deal Structure and Incentives

The agreement includes a seven-figure signing bonus, issued within 30 days, in addition to annual pay of $16M for the 2026 season and $17 million for the 2027 year.

Notably, Murakami's 2027 salary can increase based on accolade achievements in 2026:

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

The agreement includes that he will not be optioned to the minors without his consent and makes him a free agent at the conclusion of the contract. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S..

Transfer Payment and Team Legacy

As part of the signing, Chicago owes a transfer fee of over $6.5 million to the Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's NPB. The Yakult organization get a additional payment of any triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami is set to become the fourth player from Japan to represent the South Siders, in the footsteps of pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu once managed Murakami during their time in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who turns 26 in February, enters a young group of offensive players in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are finished with a 60-102 season, finishing last in the division but showing a notable improvement from the year before campaign.

Having earned Most Valuable Player honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami made history with a record-breaking 2022 season where he launched 56 homers, eclipsing the longstanding record for a player in Japan formerly held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was limited to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Despite fanning 64 times, he batted .273 with 22 homers and 47 runs batted in.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has posted a .270 batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBIs, and 977 Ks in nearly 900 games. He started playing mainly at first, he has since transitioned to the hot corner.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's clutch hitting were on global view during the last World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he delivered a walk-off double that drove in Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind 6-5 win. The next night in the championship game against the Team USA, he slugged a equalizing homer in the second inning, helping Japan's eventual championship win.

The power hitter is set to be officially presented at a media availability on the coming Monday.