The Chicago White Sox just made their first major move of the offseason-and it’s a big swing. Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami is officially headed to the South Side, signing a two-year, $34 million deal that was finalized just hours before his posting window closed.
Murakami, 29, was one of the most intriguing names on the international market this winter. A left-handed power bat with a decorated résumé in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), he brings serious pop to a White Sox lineup that’s been looking for a spark. His signing also signals a clear intention from the Sox front office: they’re not sitting idle this offseason.
“Hi, Chicago! Call me Mune.”
Murakami made an immediate impression-not just with the ink still drying on his contract, but with a short, charismatic message delivered in English to White Sox fans on social media.
“Hi, Chicago! My name is Munetaka Murakami.
Call me Mune. I’m happy to be in Chicago.
Yes!”
Complete with two thumbs up, it was a quick but memorable intro that had fans buzzing. Within minutes, replies flooded in with excitement, humor, and plenty of early declarations of fandom.
“I love him already.”
“Let’s ride, Mune.”
“It’s a MUNE-SHOT” calls gonna go crazy.”
No doubt about it-Mune is already winning over the South Side faithful, and he hasn’t even taken an at-bat yet.
A Late Push, A Big Win
While Murakami had been linked to several contending teams throughout the offseason, none appeared to be close to a deal until the White Sox made a late push. With the deadline looming, Chicago swooped in and landed him at what many around the league are calling a relative bargain.
This move could be a turning point for a franchise looking to re-establish itself after an underwhelming 2024 campaign. Murakami becomes the Sox’s first marquee addition of the winter, and given his upside, it’s a bold but calculated bet.
Power Profile with a Proven Track Record
There’s no sugarcoating it: Murakami was one of the most feared hitters in Japan during his eight-year run with the Yakult Swallows. He launched 246 home runs in 892 games, including a jaw-dropping 52-homer season in 2022-a single-season record for a Japanese-born player in NPB.
He wasn’t just padding stats in league play, either. Murakami also played a key role in Team Japan’s 2023 World Baseball Classic championship, showcasing his ability to rise to the moment on the international stage.
But like any player making the leap from NPB to MLB, there are questions. Murakami has a known tendency to strike out, and scouts have pointed to a potential vulnerability against high-velocity fastballs-something he’ll see a lot more of in the majors. Still, the raw power and plate discipline he’s shown in Japan suggest he has the tools to adjust.
A New Chapter in Chicago
For the White Sox, this isn’t just about adding a bat-it’s about injecting energy into a clubhouse and a fanbase that’s been hungry for a reason to believe again. Murakami brings more than just numbers.
He brings presence. And judging by the early reactions, he’s already building a connection with the fans that could grow into something special.
Whether he’s launching tape-measure shots onto the concourse or flashing the leather at third base, Murakami will be one of the most closely watched storylines in Chicago this season. And if he lives up to even a portion of the hype, those “MUNE-SHOT” calls might just become a regular feature on the South Side.
The countdown to Opening Day just got a little more exciting in Chicago.