The Chicago White Sox made a big free agent splash Sunday, signing Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million deal, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
BREAKING: Third baseman Munetaka Murakami and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $34 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Murakami, 25, is the single-season home run champion in Japan and will bring his prodigious power to a rebuilding White Sox team.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 21, 2025
He was posted by Nippon Professional Baseball’s Yakult Swallows last month and had until Monday evening to sign with an MLB team.
Passan reports concerns over Murakami’s swing-and-miss tendencies and questions about his ability to play third base at a high level gave teams pause in their pursuit of him. According to Passan, Murakami elected to sign a higher-dollar, lower-term deal and be a free agent again at age 27 rather than lock in longer-term with a smaller salary.
The 25-year-old hit 24 home runs and drove in 52 in 69 games with the Tokyo-based Swallows last season. He has 265 total home runs in eight NBP seasons, all spent with the Swallows.
More to come.
