The Chicago White Sox improved their record by 19 games in 2025 (60-102) after coming off a historically awful season in 2024 (41-121), and they will continue to get better in 2026.
More News: Chicago White Sox ‘engaged’ in talks with Japanese slugger: Insider
The White Sox have a young core forming heading into 2026, led by shortstop Colson Montgomery, but need to supplement him and the others with veterans and outside talent from the organization to upgrade their lineup and roster and make them more competitive. Not spending big on the free agent market, the White Sox turned toward the Japanese market, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan reporting that the White Sox and third/first baseman Munetaka Murakami are finalizing a two-year contract worth $34 million.
Murakami’s posting window to sign with a major league club would have ended on Monday, Dec. 22, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Known for his power (hitting 56 home runs in 2022), Murakami would bring big-time power to a White Sox lineup (28th in slugging percentage, .373). However, Murakami does strike out a ton, striking out over 180 times in two seasons (2019 & 2024).
Overall, in 2025, Murakami batted .286 with an OPS of 1.051 (career high) and hit 24 home runs while driving in 52 RBI.
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
In the meantime, the White Sox make their biggest free agent move in years. Murakami, Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero, Miguel Vargas — Chicago has a lot of young, interesting talent. And the upside for Murakami is enormous. A savvy move to get two prime years.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 21, 2025
Munetaka Murakami boosts the Chicago White Sox lineup and gives them the power hitter they lack
Despite being a strikeout king, adding Murakami would be beneficial for manager Will Venable to have in his lineup. The White Sox’s leader in home runs in 2025 was second baseman Lenyn Sosa, who nearly tripled his home run total in 2025 (22) from 2024 (eight), so adding Murakami would give the Sox someone with 30+ home run potential and the White Sox a nice triple threat of Montgomery, Sosa, and Murakami.
The White Sox have an opening at first base, and with Murakami’s joining the club, he’ll likely get the bulk of the starting reps to play on the right side of the infield. In their history, the White Sox’s most notable Japanese player was infielder Tadahito Iguchi. Iguchi helped the White Sox win the 2005 World Series.
Now that he’s signed, Murakami could be the next Japanese player to join the White Sox and the young core they’re forming, and bring another World Series trophy back to Chicago.
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