Skip to main content
Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

This story is free to read.

White Sox sign Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami for two years

AP photo by Marta Lavandier / Japan's Munetaka Murakami rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the World Baseball Classic championship game against the U.S. in Miami on March 21, 2023.
AP photo by Marta Lavandier / Japan's Munetaka Murakami rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the World Baseball Classic championship game against the U.S. in Miami on March 21, 2023. AP photo by Marta Lavandier / Japan's Munetaka Murakami rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the World Baseball Classic championship game against the U.S. in Miami on March 21, 2023.

By JAY COHEN / The Associated Press 3 min read

CHICAGO — The rebuilding Chicago White Sox added Munetaka Murakami to their lineup Sunday, agreeing to a $34 million, two-year contract with the Japanese slugger.

Murakami, who turns 26 on Feb. 2, joins a promising group of young hitters that already includes Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery and Kyle Teel. The White Sox finished last in the American League Central Division this year with a 60-102 record, a 19-game improvement from the previous season.

Murakami gets a $1 million signing bonus payable within 30 days and salaries of $16 million next year and $17 million in 2027.

His 2027 salary can escalate based on awards earned in 2026: $1 million for winning the AL MVP award, $500,000 for finishing second or third in the voting, $250,000 for fourth through 10th and $250,000 for AL rookie of the year.

He can’t be assigned to the minor leagues without his consent and will be a free agent at the end of the contract. He also gets a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S.