Chicago White Sox Land Standout Japanese Slugger Munetaka Murakami

The Chicago White Sox have shocked the world, making their first big free agent signing in years, landing left-handed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami. Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that Murakami will sign a two-year, $34 million deal with the White Sox, meaning he will hit the open market again in 2027 when he’s just 27 years old. 

White Sox Make the Perfect Move

Signing Murakami was an ideal move for the Chicago White Sox. As a young team in the midst of a rebuild, Murakami complements their emerging talent and steps in as Chicago’s new first baseman. With Murakami joining Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero, Miguel Vargas, and Chase Meidroth, the White Sox promise to be an exciting team to watch next season, offering fans plenty of reasons to look forward to the year ahead.

Murakami played in 56 games last season, and slashed .273/.379/.663/1.043. He has an incredible amount of power from the left side of the plate, hitting 22 home runs in just 56 games. There is a massive downside to his game: his high strikeout rate limits his ability to make consistent contact. The strikeouts remain a considerable concern, having 64 strikeouts in 224 plate appearances. Despite the strikeouts, Murakami still had a .379 on-base percentage, proving how much of a threat he can be in Chicago’s lineup. 

Joining a smaller market like Chicago relieves Murakami of immediate, intense expectations, a crucial factor in this signing. Over the next two years, he’ll have the opportunity to adjust to Major League pitching and prove himself, potentially setting the stage for a significant payday when he reaches free agency.

What’s Next For the White Sox

After signing Murakami, the White Sox will likely shift their focus to upgrading the pitching staff. According to Passan, Chicago is targeting mid-tier starting pitchers, with several appealing names on the market. Notable options include Chris Bassitt, Zack Little, Lucas Giolito, and Michael Lorenzen. Given the current roster’s status, it makes sense that the team will avoid spending big on marquee free agents this winter.

Securing the first overall pick in next year’s draft positions the White Sox to select a potential franchise cornerstone in UCLA Shortstop Roch Cholowsky. Widely regarded as one of the top draft prospects in recent memory, Cholowsky is projected to reach the Majors quickly. The son of longtime scout and former Minor Leaguer Dan Cholowsky, he combines impressive discipline with elite power at the plate.

After a couple of challenging seasons in the “Windy City,” the Chicago White Sox finally appear poised for a promising turnaround.