Munetaka Murakami Opens Up About Future With White Sox

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Munetaka Murakami Opens Up About Future With White Sox

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Thomas Kelson | Last updated Jul 14, 2026 6:02 PM ET

The Chicago White Sox are one of the greatest stories to emerge this season in Major League Baseball.

After three straight 100-loss seasons, Chicago entered the All-Star break tied with the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the American League Central.

The leading figure in the White Sox's turnaround has been first baseman Munetaka Murakami. The club shocked the league this offseason by signing the 26-year-old slugger to a two-year, $34 million contract.

Murakami entered the 2025 offseason expected to land a lucrative deal, with some projections reaching well into nine figures. Instead, he took a short-term deal with Chicago and has more than proved the entire league wrong for doubting him.

In 60 games this season, Murakami is hitting .232/.371/.540 with 20 home runs, a .911 OPS and a 149 wRC+. He was also named an All-Star despite missing more than 30 games with a hamstring injury.

Both his star-level play and charisma have captured the hearts of fans on the South Side of Chicago. And Murakami appears to feel the same way about Chicago.

James Fegan of Sox Machine asked Murakami if he has thought about staying with the White Sox long term. Murakami admitted he isn't thinking about a contract extension right now, but made it clear he would like to stay in Chicago long term.

All-Star first baseman Munetaka Murakami said he’s not thinking or talking specifics about contract extensions right now, but affirmed that he would like to stay with the White Sox long-term
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) July 14, 2026

This is more than great news for White Sox fans because Murakami's market won't be quiet for a second time.

Extending him to a long-term deal, whether it be now or after the season, feels like a no-brainer. Murakami's love for Chicago could perhaps make him more willing to sign a new deal before reaching free agency after the 2027 season.

The White Sox are also more than capable of handing Murakami a long-term deal. The club doesn't have many major financial restrictions standing in its way.

The only notable contract on the books belongs to outfielder Andrew Benintendi, who is in the second-to-last season of a five-year, $75 million deal.

Chicago also boasts one of the greatest collections of young talent in baseball, with many of its players not even arbitration-eligible yet. And they have even more talent waiting in the wings.

They added to that group most recently by drafting shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft this past weekend.

For the first time in a long while, the White Sox are in arguably their best position since winning the World Series in 2005.

The dubbed "South Side Samurai" feels like the perfect player to lead this new era of Chicago baseball.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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