The biggest mystery of the MLB offseason is: Where will Japanese star Munetaka Murakami sign? THE The Chicago White Sox gave baseball an answer by signing Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract.giving their fans an early Christmas present.
You could call the move a shocker for the White Sox, who won the Murakami sweepstakes despite only being linked to the 25-year-old slugger the day before he signed. Murakami provides instant power in the middle of a White Sox lineup that finished 23rd in MLB in home runs. The third baseman hit 265 home runs for the NPB Yakult Swallows in eight seasons. In 2022, he reached a league-high 56 at the age of 22.
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Although Murakami’s signing was a surprise, he fits the plan and direction of the White Sox perfectly. Over the past two seasons, Chicago has gone through a serious rebuild and during that time, the team’s front office has taken several steps to attract young talent. And even though the product on the field has left something to be desired due to the talent deficit, the White Sox have shown in 2025 that they are rebuilding a culture.
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They also began to build a core of talented young players, including catchers Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero, infielder Lenyn Sosa, second baseman Chase Meidroth and shortstop Colson Montgomery, who finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Not to mention a solid farm system with headliners Braden Montgomery, left-hander Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith. And after By winning the draft lottery, they will have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft next season..
“I think we have a much stronger foundation … (and) you find ways to continue to move this thing forward, even to another level,” White Sox general manager Chris said. Getz told Yahoo Sports in September. “I feel like we have a lot of good people here who aren’t necessarily similar – because we have a diversity of backgrounds and thoughts and influences – but we also know that we’re working towards a common goal. But that common goal is really just kind of continuous improvement, finding ways to improve.”
You could argue that Murakami was the most polarizing player this year. free agent classprobably explaining why its market hasn’t been as robust as many previously thought. The new White Sox slugger has some serious flaws and despite his great power, there are major concerns about his contact rate and ability to consistently hit high-velocity pitches. This criticism has followed him throughout his free agency, with many in the industry questioning whether his offensive profile can succeed in MLB.
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But Murakami is the kind of gamble a team like the White Sox can and should make. Getz and the White Sox front office may have been opportunistic after Murakami’s return from the market. And while there are risks to that decision, the reward for a 25-year-old slugger with 40-plus home run potential is definitely worth it.
For Murakami, playing in Chicago allows him to hit in the South Side hitter’s paradise that matches his swing. And success with the White Sox allows him to return to the market at age 27 with a chance for a bigger payday next time around.
Make no mistake, this decision is a big one for the White Sox. After years in complete rebuild mode, Murakami is Getz’s first significant free agent as White Sox general manager and one who could have a major impact in 2026 and beyond. The White Sox haven’t signed a Japanese player since 2005 World Series champion Tadahito Iguchi, and with Japanese talent making a major impact in MLB in recent years, reestablishing a foothold in that market is vital for future free agent acquisitions.
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If Murakami’s power plays as the White Sox hope, this move will look like a good deal in two years and perhaps be the start of a new era in Chicago.
