Overview
- The agreement, reported a day before his posting deadline, includes a reported $6.575 million posting fee to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, bringing Chicago’s total commitment to about $40.575 million.
- Murakami, 25, is expected to play first base or serve as designated hitter after setting Japan’s single-season home run record with 56 in 2022 and hitting 22 in an oblique-shortened 2025.
- Scouts and analysts flagged high strikeout and whiff rates as key reasons his market did not escalate into a long-term, big-money bidding war.
- The short-term pact is widely characterized as a low-risk, high-upside add for a rebuilding White Sox club seeking power without a lengthy commitment.
- Following the deal, reports indicate Chicago engaged teams including the Mets and Reds in trade discussions centered on outfielder Luis Robert Jr.