One month into MLB free agency, and while the hot stove is simmering around the league, the Chicago White Sox have kept things mostly on the back burner. Outside of the signing of lefty Anthony Kay-who spent last season in Japan-the South Siders have been quiet.
But that silence might not last much longer. With ownership shifting and a potential new direction on the horizon, there’s a sense that this winter could be the start of something different on the South Side.
The White Sox are in clear need of offensive firepower, particularly in the heart of the lineup. First base and the outfield stand out as areas where a big bat could make a real difference. And while the team has been connected to several names, one stands out above the rest-not just for his talent, but for what he could represent for the franchise.
Enter Munetaka Murakami.
According to ESPN’s David Schoenfield, the White Sox are a predicted landing spot for the Japanese slugger, who’s widely regarded as one of the most dangerous hitters to come out of Japan in recent memory. If that prediction holds, it would be nothing short of a franchise-altering move.
Schoenfield projects a deal in the range of five years and $80 million-a figure that would set a new record for the White Sox in terms of total contract value. For context, that’s just $5 million more than the team gave Andrew Benintendi over the same length. In today’s market, that’s a reasonable price tag for a player with Murakami’s ceiling, and it’s a number that suggests the White Sox could be serious contenders in the race.
This potential signing wouldn’t come out of nowhere. The White Sox have shown increasing interest in the Asian baseball market, and bringing in Kay from Nippon Professional Baseball earlier this offseason was a signal that they’re doing more than just window shopping overseas. A move for Murakami would take that strategy to another level.
And make no mistake-Murakami isn’t just a good player. He’s a potential game-changer.
In 2025, during his age-25 season, Murakami put together an MVP-caliber campaign in Japan, slashing .286 with 24 home runs and 52 RBIs in just 69 games. That’s elite-level production in a condensed sample size. He paired that with a .392 on-base percentage and a staggering 1.051 OPS, numbers that would turn heads in any league.
Zooming out, his career numbers paint the picture of a consistent power threat:
- 567 games played
- .274 batting average
- .967 OPS
- 159 home runs
- 416 RBIs
- 319 walks
Those are the kind of stats that don’t just plug a hole in a lineup-they anchor it.
Now, there are some valid concerns when it comes to his strikeout totals. In 2025, Murakami struck out 71 times against 38 walks.
The year before, it was 180 strikeouts to 105 walks. That swing-and-miss profile is something to watch, but in today’s game, it’s also something teams are more than willing to live with-especially when the power upside is this high.
The modern MLB is built around slugging, and Murakami fits that mold.
Positionally, he brings flexibility. He can slot in at first or third, giving the White Sox options depending on how the rest of the roster shakes out.
More importantly, he would provide much-needed protection for the team’s younger hitters. A legitimate 30+ home run threat in the middle of the order changes the way pitchers approach an entire lineup.
At just 26 years old and with eight years of pro experience under his belt, Murakami is a rare commodity. Players like this-young, productive, and already seasoned-don’t hit the open market often. And for a team like the White Sox, who are trying to retool around a new core, this is the kind of addition that could accelerate the rebuild.
There’s a deadline looming, though. Murakami’s posting window closes within the next week, meaning any deal will need to come together quickly.
And while there hasn’t been a ton of public buzz linking him directly to the White Sox, that doesn’t mean they’re out of the picture. Sometimes, the biggest moves happen behind the scenes.
If the White Sox are serious about turning the page and building something sustainable, Murakami would be a bold-and potentially brilliant-step in that direction.