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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.