STLtoday.com

By Nick Deeds | December 21, 2025 at 9:14am CDT

The White Sox are in agreement with infielder Munetaka Murakami on a two-year deal worth $34MM, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Passan adds that Murakami is expected to play first base in Chicago.

Murakami, 26 in February, arrives in the majors as perhaps the most anticipated NPB hitter to move stateside since Shohei Ohtani. The slugger set an NPB record with 56 home runs in a single season at 22 years old, and he continued to make an international name for himself with Team Japan during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. A career .270/.394/.557 hitter across 892 Central League games for the Yakult Swallows, Murakami boasts true 80-grade power that could completely change an up-and-coming White Sox lineup

wonder if this kid actually knows what he signed up for

Didn’t see this thread as I started one for the same topic.

Didn’t expect them to sign him. Really don’t know what to think.

It sounds like a low risk move. A minimal contract (2/34 million). Way under what the supposed experts thought he would get. If he bombs the Sox aren’t out much and if he’s successful the Sox have a bargain.

For the money, this sounds like a move the Cardinals should have considered. A power hitting infielder at a reasonable cost. I will say that he must not have much of a reputation in the MLB world if that’s the best deal he could get.

Whatashame wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:13 am It sounds like a low risk move. A minimal contract (2/34 million). Way under what the supposed experts thought he would get. If he bombs the Sox aren’t out much and if he’s successful the Sox have a bargain.

agree

For the money, this sounds like a move the Cardinals should have considered. A power hitting infielder at a reasonable cost. I will say that he must not have much of a reputation in the MLB world if that’s the best deal he could get.

agree if he was an OUTFIELDER

Hofikebrucee wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 10:55 am Didn’t see this thread as I started one for the same topic.

Didn’t expect them to sign him. Really don’t know what to think.

Classic sign-n-trade gambit.
If he fails, no real loss to the Sox.
If he succeeds, they have a trade piece.
Very logical signing.

moose-and-squirrel wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 10:50 am wonder if this kid actually knows what he signed up for

Maybe he's from the south side of Osaka.

Whatashame wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:13 am It sounds like a low risk move. A minimal contract (2/34 million). Way under what the supposed experts thought he would get. If he bombs the Sox aren’t out much and if he’s successful the Sox have a bargain.

For the money, this sounds like a move the Cardinals should have considered. A power hitting infielder at a reasonable cost. I will say that he must not have much of a reputation in the MLB world if that’s the best deal he could get.

Lol...CT thinking the Cards need to be like the poorly run White Suc. No. Dudes a Lefty hitter


That's because Murakami's strikeout totals and swing-and-miss rates have spiked since his monster 2022 season, while his walk rates and on-base percentage have declined, sparking concerns about his ability to make enough contact in the Major Leagues to take advantage of his tremendous power. Murakami in particular had issues against the higher-velocity fastballs and the wipeout breaking and offspeed pitches he’ll see more of in MLB

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:51 am

Whatashame wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:13 am It sounds like a low risk move. A minimal contract (2/34 million). Way under what the supposed experts thought he would get. If he bombs the Sox aren’t out much and if he’s successful the Sox have a bargain.

For the money, this sounds like a move the Cardinals should have considered. A power hitting infielder at a reasonable cost. I will say that he must not have much of a reputation in the MLB world if that’s the best deal he could get.

Lol...CT thinking the Cards need to be like the poorly run White Suc. No. Dudes a Lefty hitter


That's because Murakami's strikeout totals and swing-and-miss rates have spiked since his monster 2022 season, while his walk rates and on-base percentage have declined, sparking concerns about his ability to make enough contact in the Major Leagues to take advantage of his tremendous power. Murakami in particular had issues against the higher-velocity fastballs and the wipeout breaking and offspeed pitches he’ll see more of in MLB

What are you talking about. No one thinks that anyone should be run like anyone. It’s a low risk move at that price. Not much invested, not much risk. If it fails you’re not out much. If it succeeds you have a bargain. Instead of coming here to (bleep) on everything, maybe try to read and comprehend.

Whatashame wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 12:24 pm

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:51 am

Whatashame wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:13 am It sounds like a low risk move. A minimal contract (2/34 million). Way under what the supposed experts thought he would get. If he bombs the Sox aren’t out much and if he’s successful the Sox have a bargain.

For the money, this sounds like a move the Cardinals should have considered. A power hitting infielder at a reasonable cost. I will say that he must not have much of a reputation in the MLB world if that’s the best deal he could get.

Lol...CT thinking the Cards need to be like the poorly run White Suc. No. Dudes a Lefty hitter


That's because Murakami's strikeout totals and swing-and-miss rates have spiked since his monster 2022 season, while his walk rates and on-base percentage have declined, sparking concerns about his ability to make enough contact in the Major Leagues to take advantage of his tremendous power. Murakami in particular had issues against the higher-velocity fastballs and the wipeout breaking and offspeed pitches he’ll see more of in MLB

What are you talking about. No one thinks that anyone should be run like anyone. It’s a low risk move at that price. Not much invested, not much risk. If it fails you’re not out much. If it succeeds you have a bargain. Instead of coming here to (bleep) on everything, maybe try to read and comprehend.

Direct quote on your post.

For the money, this sounds like a move the Cardinals should have considered. A power hitting infielder at a reasonable cost.

Then I posted how he's getting worse, LH,...

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 14:29 pm

Whatashame wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 12:24 pm

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:51 am

Whatashame wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:13 am It sounds like a low risk move. A minimal contract (2/34 million). Way under what the supposed experts thought he would get. If he bombs the Sox aren’t out much and if he’s successful the Sox have a bargain.

For the money, this sounds like a move the Cardinals should have considered. A power hitting infielder at a reasonable cost. I will say that he must not have much of a reputation in the MLB world if that’s the best deal he could get.

Lol...CT thinking the Cards need to be like the poorly run White Suc. No. Dudes a Lefty hitter


That's because Murakami's strikeout totals and swing-and-miss rates have spiked since his monster 2022 season, while his walk rates and on-base percentage have declined, sparking concerns about his ability to make enough contact in the Major Leagues to take advantage of his tremendous power. Murakami in particular had issues against the higher-velocity fastballs and the wipeout breaking and offspeed pitches he’ll see more of in MLB

What are you talking about. No one thinks that anyone should be run like anyone. It’s a low risk move at that price. Not much invested, not much risk. If it fails you’re not out much. If it succeeds you have a bargain. Instead of coming here to (bleep) on everything, maybe try to read and comprehend.

Direct quote on your post.

For the money, this sounds like a move the Cardinals should have considered. A power hitting infielder at a reasonable cost.

Then I posted how he's getting worse, LH,...

I don’t think it’s a move the cards should do in their current state, but what does it matter he’s LH?

Whatashame wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:13 am It sounds like a low risk move. A minimal contract (2/34 million). Way under what the supposed experts thought he would get. If he bombs the Sox aren’t out much and if he’s successful the Sox have a bargain.

For the money, this sounds like a move the Cardinals should have considered. A power hitting infielder at a reasonable cost. I will say that he must not have much of a reputation in the MLB world if that’s the best deal he could get.

A Top Asian player landing in flyover country.

We have to stop acting like they’ll all automatically go to California and start pursuing these types of opportunities