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The trend I see with a lot of big name Japanese hitters that come over is that they excel for the first few months, the scouting report catches up to them, and then they need to adjust to survive. Fukudome and Seiya Suzuki both started off hot and sizzled out as their first season went along. Fukudome never adjusted and Suzuki did. It could be different now that scouting is more advanced, but I honestly wouldn't be shocked if Murakami does well initially.

Rikuu Nishida will be very popular for interviews and interpreting in ST... although guessing he will have his own full time guy. Apparently his English is expanding. TikTok account will be popular with Sox and Japanese fans. Schiffren will be ecstatic. Gets to spend time in AZ with the Dodgers...Japanese media contingent will be massive that first week or so. How will Murakami adjust? Will Sasaki make the LAD rotation? Basically a big chunk of defending champion Team Samurai for that 2026 WBC together. White Sox might also get a trip to Japan in 2026/27.

Merry Christmas White Sox fans! Old Jerry opened the wallet for some actual talent and didn’t do more bargain bin shopping! Up that payroll, keep your existing stadium or build a new one with your own money in Chicago and act like a functioning MLB team!

And that’s totally fine. Would be a great problem to have a 2.5 win 3B in Vargas for three more years while Cholowski is pushing for the SS job and forcing Colson to 3B.

Yup, it becomes a potentially serious lineup when he’s up. And while I’m a huge Meidroth fan, if he can’t get further improve his OBP and ability to impact the baseball against RHP, then that opens the door for Antonacci to make a case for the 2B job. Outside of Benintendi, this positional group should super exciting.

Probably freeing up the money to pay for Murakami. Probably looking for an outfielder as well.

I do think it’s notable that he could’ve signed this same deal with a better team in need of a 1b/DH type (Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Padres come to mind) or with plenty of other ‘rebuilding’/treadmilling teams, but our Sox came out on top for a premier free agent. I was also thinking about how Ketel Marte’s no-trade clause didn’t apply to the White Sox and maybe the team’s reputation is out of the toilet compared to even two seasons ago when every former Sock couldn’t wait to trash talk the team’s culture. Even if Murakami-sama is a bust, I think it inspires confidence that the team can actually attract a free agent relative to other organizations.

I would say that was the biggest change in 2025. A 100 loss Venable team was worth watching compared to a 100 loss Grifol team.

Hell yeah. Ball go far.

It's nice to have highly motivated players for a change.

Chicks ding the long ball. There's a certain mystique about S.Oh and this guy. Guys like Hideki Matsui and Seiya Suzuki are very good or even great hitters, but not necessarily selling tickets or getting all the marketing deals. This opens up Chicago to the second most Japanese press covering a US city after LA and should make it much easier to sign Japanese players in the future. Maybe Roki Sasaki could get an extended run at starting for the Sox if he can't make it in LA and gets acquired.. Maybe OF Kensuke Kondoh would be willing to join the Sox next year. Or Tatsuya Imai to at least have the White Sox on his "due diligence" list. There's now a reason for James Fegan to get back a beat reporter job or a collaboration with the Japanese press. It also drives up the tv ratings, sponsorships/advertising and males it possible for Chicagoans to get more excited about a new owner/stadium. And it hardly breaks the bank. Plus, you get the QO or trade return in July 2027 or possibly Ishbia stepping in to invest in a long term deal if everything goes right...in order to maintain positive forward momentum. Not to mention White Sox hats and jerseys immediately fly up to Top 3 in Japan as well.

Hats off to the White Sox ... and to Munetaka Murakami.

Fun signing that comes at a lower AAV than Beni and falls off at same time. Well done.

I wonder if Ishbia would be willing to inject more money into the MLB payroll if it really did turn out that the Sox were a top FA or two away from competing in 2029 and JR hasn't handed over ownership yet at that point. Being able to hit the ground running with a highly competitive team when he finally does take over would probably be ideal for him.

I don’t think Fairbanks will be worth the money get gets. Would rather put that money toward another starter.

LOL! A contradiction on your part. Ever heard of HISTORY. Nice try,,,,,,,,,,,yawn! I will say it until I'm proven 100% wrong. It's what all budget teams do.

100% agree. And Venable did say he expected multiple moves happening soon. I still think Fairbanks is a real possibility. That being said, I do think they go cheaper with whatever vet starter they sign, although would love to be surprised there.

You always say that first line and it’s dumber each time.

these deals are always orchestrated to eventually make Birmingham better. I wouldn't expect miracles the 1st season. Learning pitchers is not overnight and will take at least a season.

Yes, definitely bigger than Seiya. Murakami’s home run chase was the biggest sports narrative of the year in Japan. Seiya was the golden child for Carp fans, but the Carp are an intense but very localized fanbase. Murakami plays in Tokyo, and even though the Swallows live under the shadow of Yomiuri, it’s a much bigger and more nationally relevant stage.

Does Murakami have a big following in Japan? I know he was insane 3 years ago but he's dropped off in recent years. Surely he's a bigger name than Seiya Suzuki right?

Which is 100% a positive, and what I'd want.

It’s worth it for the Sox because he can really pay off. He will be incentivized to put up good numbers for that next deal. I hope that he does show great play, and we’re looking at a new lead owner to get a good extension done.

That would really be up to Ishbia more than JR so close to 2029...