The Chicago White Sox got a massive bargain when they landed Munetaka Murakami on a two-year, $34 million deal last offseason, and for much of the year it looked like they had found one of MLB’s most dangerous power bats at a discount.
Murakami has given them plenty to like. He’s launched 32 home runs, scored 77 runs, driven in 69, made the All-Star team and posted an .809 OPS in his rookie season. For a while, that production made him look like the kind of player a team would want locked up for the long haul.
But the picture has changed enough that the White Sox are not rushing anything. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the team has “no urgency” to get an extension done right now. Nightengale wrote, "The Chicago White Sox say there is no urgency in signing Munetaka Murakami to a contract extension considering his recent struggles," and added, "He's hitting just .107 with 54 strikeouts in 103 at-bats in his last 29 games."
The slump has dragged down an otherwise strong season. Murakami is hitting .203 with 187 strikeouts and 1.8 bWAR in 120 games, and the recent stretch has been especially rough. Since the start of August, he has played in 46 games, hit eight home runs and piled up 83 strikeouts while batting .139 with a .607 OPS.
September has been even quieter. In 18 games and 64 at-bats, Murakami has hit .125 with a .540 OPS and three home runs.
He opened the year with plenty of impact, but the White Sox have seen enough of the swing-and-miss issues lately to pump the brakes on any long-term commitment. For now, the team plans to wait and see more before making a move on an extension.
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White Sox Bullpen Picture Just Got More Complicated Before First Pitch
Rain has already put the White Sox and Tigers on hold before first pitch, with no new start time announced yet, but the bigger subplot for Chicago is the latest bullpen shuffle. The club reinstated Huascar Brazobn from the injured list and sent Chris Murphy back to Triple-A Charlotte, a move that adds another arm to a relief group that has spent plenty of time trying to sort out its late-inning shape.
The timing matters because the White Sox were already headed into the day with a fresh look on the mound and a lineup card in hand once the weather clears. Troy Melton is the scheduled starter for Detroit, and his recent work adds another layer to a game that was supposed to be a clean matchup before the delay complicated everything, including how Chicago manages the innings if the tarp comes off later than expected. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Affiliate Offers Late Reminder The System Still Has Life
The White Sox may still be focused on the big-league picture, but Charlotte offered a useful reminder that the organization has some depth worth watching. The Knights beat Norfolk 10-6 on Wednesday to grab their second win of the series, and the offense kept the pressure on from the start with 12 hits and five extra-base hits. Mario Camilletti paced the lineup with four RBIs, while Tyler Gilbert handled three innings on the mound as part of a staff effort that gave up six runs but still kept the game in control.
For a system that has spent plenty of time under a microscope, nights like this matter because they show more than one prospect or one arm can carry a club. Pierce George picked up his first Triple-A win, a small milestone that fits into a larger picture of a farm team trying to stack competitive performances. The series still has another layer to it, but Charlotte at least gave the White Sox a reminder that some of the group beneath the majors is still pushing in the right direction. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Just Sent A Clear Message About Murakamis Future
Munetaka Murakamis first season in Chicago has not changed the White Soxs long-term view of him, but it has slowed the timetable. The club remains interested in keeping the slugger beyond his current deal, and general manager Chris Getz has openly acknowledged that conversations about an extension are ongoing, yet the Sox are not rushing to lock anything in while Murakami works through a slump.
Murakami is already under contract through 2027 after signing a two-year deal before the season, which gives both sides some breathing room. For now, Chicago appears content to let the bat settle first and revisit the bigger-picture contract discussion later, a clear sign that the front office likes the fit but is willing to wait for better performance before making a long-term commitment. [Read more 🡒]