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He’s not much more expensive than O’Hearn would have been with an incredible amount more of upside and flip potential. There is no downside to this deal, as let’s be honest, they’ve wasted 17 mil a year on 3 veteran signings most offseasons.

And there it is…never a fucking doubt

@Chicago White Sox

Now do Tucker.

All credit to @Chicago White Sox who shitposted this into existence

Also worth noting that while the Sox are putting out 40m total for this signing, I bet a sizable chunk of this comes back to them in the form of Japanese ad sales. Wouldn't be surprised at all see Japanese ads in the park for opening day, plus some specialty media deals.

According to whom?

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

This should be fun. Low downside, medium upside is how I look at it. $34M is chump change and not going to affect anything long term even if Murakami goes full 2011 Adam Dunn. Of course, if he's great, he's going to take off before the Sox have a real team. But that's a trade chip for you. His manager in Japan was Shingo Takatsu, by the way. Maybe Mr. Zero put in a good word.

Wow, this is great! Glad to see Ish paying dividends.

For comparison in how they performed in Japan: Shohei’s K rates in his age 20-22 seasons in Japan were 36%, 26%, and 27%. His career K rate in MLB is 25.5% with a low season of 22.2% and a high season of 29.6%. His BB% over the same ages were 7%, 14%, and 10%. His career BB% rate in MLB is 12.5% with a low season of 7.8% and a high season of 15.2%. Munetaka Murakami’s K rates in his age 20-22 seasons in Japan were 22%, 21%, and 21%. The last 3 seasons it was 28%, 29%, and 29%. His BB% over the same ages as Ohtani were 17%, 17%, and 19%.

BA's scouting report suggests fastballs aren't an issue and won't be once he acclimates. It's the spin and the offspeed stuff that is the bigger concern.

Jersey being ordered right now…thanks!

Official

What evidence is there to suggest that his work ethic is s%*#?

I'm not religious...but it sure seems like Pope Leo isn't hurting our fortunes right now

I am all for signing this guy (it's just Jerry's $) and admit I know next to nothing about him or really any NPB or KBO players. But after a quick glance at his NPB stats, I can't help but worry about his game translating to the bigs.

It was based on some random small sample size of incomplete data

Get ready boys, because I read the tea leaves again and discovered "Tucker too"

I mean, obviously a guy who just got 34 million isn't a premier free-agent. That said, great signing. No risk, payroll is in the dumps. Big upside. I'm personally skeptical of those contact rates translating to the big leagues but who gives a s%*#. 2 year deal, Sox have no one else. He'll be exciting, at least for a little while. Also really nice to see us get back into Asia more generally speaking. ++ move.

I think you’re right, but I’ll also point out that this archetype is classic for a high-peak and early decline. On paper, being the team that trades him may be the wiser move than being the team to reward his breakout. As fan, I’ll be able to get behind either outcome, but it’ll be incredibly instructive to see how this leadership corp plays the hand.

I know what his kids are getting for Christmas

If he’s that good, you keep him and build. This was a fantastic move, whether he pans or not and if he’s good I think the Sox have an infrastructure in place to make it appealing long term for him to want to potentially stick around for awhile.

What a fucking weekend for Chicago sports!

Haha. Sure. @Chicago White Sox willed this one into existence. There are some red flags, but no reason not to take a shot at this amount.

2 years 34 Mil a risk you take ALL DAY

Good/Better/Best plus game balls

The Sox usually manage to waste three roster spots on replacement level 33 years olds out of 17 million per. This is better, obviously. I get doubting ownership and management but in isolation this is a great use of limited resources.

That was false

Bingo. You get rid of his salary and see what you can do with that money to add. I don't think many realize how valuable that Reds comp pick is too.

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.

2 shortstops is a bold choice

They now have Beni, Murakami, and Robert coming off the books after 2027. The risk here is virtually nothing. At the very least, the Sox will have some Boom in the middle of their line up.

Hold onto Robert and Sosa now, try like hell to get off of Benintendi’s money

f*** that. If he’s good, extend him.

Second time's the charm right?

Alright guys, I’m back.

Murakami should be making his decision today. Sung-mun Song’s posting window was supposed to end today at 4pm CST and news of him agreeing to a deal with the Padres came out about 2 1/2 days beforehand. Given a deal has to be signed by 4pm tomorrow and there is always a lot of fine print that needs to be reviewed by legal teams, a deal needs to be agreed to in principle before the end of the day. As such, we’re officially in the end game. In just a few hours, we’re going to make up for past wrongs and land the Japanese Babe Ruth. Dude is going to be hitting bombs on the South Side for years to come. Get fucking amped bro’s.

Agree those were all time calls. That game was insane. Best night ever.

Let’s cap off that incredible Bears win by signing this dude.

Burkhardt's emotion in big moments is what makes him so good. He and Brady were basically yelling the whole time for the last 2 minutes of regulation and OT.

Another thing to take away from this: DJ and Caleb are developing chemistry.

How does every thread turn into the same tired Chris Getz fight? We’re on the verge of signing the Japanese Babe Ruth and half the board can’t stop bickering with each other over a bunch of non-sense. Let’s get fucking amped and stop with all the damn in-fighting.