Chicago has entered into negotiations with Munetako Murakami

The Chicago White Sox have appeared as a potential landing spot for Japanese batsman Munetaka Murakamijust two days before the publication window closes. MLB.com reporters Mark Feinsand and Scott Merkin confirmed Saturday night that the South Side club is “among the teams currently in talks.” with the 25-year-old infielderwho spent most of his professional career with the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Murakami has earned a reputation as one of Japan’s greatest strikers. Selected in the first round of the 2017 NPB Draft, he was named the 2019 Central League Rookie of the Year after hitting 36 home runs as a 19-year-old. He later became the youngest player in NPB history to hit 100 career home runs and won back-to-back Central League MVP awards in 2021 and 2022. His 2022 campaign was historic, resulting in a triple crown with a .318 batting average, 56 home runs, and 134 hits in Japan. Despite an oblique injury that limited him to 56 games in 2025, Murakami still smashed 22 home runs, which would be tied for the White Sox team lead if projected in MLB. Over eight NPB seasons, he hit 265 homers in 1,003 professional games, compiling a career .951 OPS.

While Murakami’s power is undeniable, there are some concerns about his contact skills. His strikeout rate has increased in recent seasons, reaching 28–29.5 percent in 2023–25, and his walk rate has dropped from 19.3 percent in 2022 to 14.3 percent last year. His ability to adapt to Major League pitching, especially against high velocity, remains an open question.

Chicago’s interest is motivated by a combination of opportunity and need. The White Sox finished 60–102 last season, ranking 23rd in the MLB with just 165 home runs. Adding Murakami would provide a potential anchor bat for a young core that includes 23-year-olds Kyle Thiel and Colson Montgomery. General manager Chris Getz highlighted the organization’s ability to give talented but imperfect players a platform to develop, making Chicago an attractive environment for Murakami to move to the Majors.

Financially, the White Sox are in a good position to pursue him. With an estimated payroll of $68 million, including $20 million allocated to Luis Robert Jr., the team has the flexibility for a projected five-year, $80 million contract — a figure well below the $225 million initially projected for Murakami. Baseball insiders suggest that if the price is right, this could represent a major step forward in rebuilding the franchise, potentially giving Chicago a bat reminiscent of Jose Abreu’s early impact.

Murakami’s posting time closes Monday at 5:00 PM ET, leaving very little time for the White Sox and other potential suitors, such as the Philadelphia Phillies or the Los Angeles Angels, to finalize the deal. If he doesn’t sign, he’ll return to Japan for the 2026 season, but if Chicago successfully secures him, it could be a transformative addition to the team’s lineup and rebuilding strategy.