caulfield12

https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/is-munetaka-murakami-a-bargain-at-34m-for-2-years-his-surprise-signing-with-white-sox-fits-nicely-in-chicagos-rebuild-191334685.html

Grade A+ At this price, it's a more than worthy project. If it succeeds, there will be a lot of teams looking back at this opportunity, wishing they had focused more on what Murakami can do, and not what they think he cannot. And who knows? If Murakami, who is sure to be highly motivated after the way his posting window unfolded, becomes some semblance of that 56-homer monster we first heard about, maybe he will decide his new South Side digs suit him just fine. And when he's ready to win, the White Sox club around him might be ready to do the same. -- Doolittle "In a White Sox organization rich in young infield talent, that destiny seems like a good bet. Besides the likes of Colson Montgomery, Chase Meidroth and Billy Carlson, Chicago is likely to add UCLA star Roch Cholowsky to the mix with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. There doesn't seem to be any great need to give Murakami much of a runway at third base, though for 2026, it might be worth a shot, if only to build value." https://global.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46994593/2025-26-mlb-offseason-grades-free-agency-trade-analysis Playing him at 3B to further increase trade value is worth at least investigating, with pretty much nothing to lose but Vargas/Mead playing time at risk.

https://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/murakami-signs-with-chisox.47581/#post-7011135 Red Sox fans' takes on missing out on Murakami. Seem to feel too much risk for a contender to just give him a job. Outfield picture way too crowded. Someone has to go. T.Casas continues to be a polarizing figure on and off the field.

https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/munetaka-murakami-white-sox-contract 11 am Monday morning press conference scheduled https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/mlb/chicago-white-sox/news/munetaka-murakami-white-sox-japanese-hr-champion-chicago/ed6394ee928cf5edd7318225 Red Sox fans must be mystified why they finished in second for Murakami.

If he's one of the Top Ten hitters in mlb history his first 7-8 big league seasons, it will be quite the story. Completely different offensive approaches and contact skills.

Antonacci still arguably needs more time in the minors. Unless he just blows Meidroth away in ST and looks better than expected defensively, but Chase was lousy for most of his time in AZ as well last year. Also don't see them carrying three catchers. Sosa and Mead are clearly most at risk...but maybe Lenyn DHs unless they pull Benintendi out of LF.

And Michigan TN Missouri. They hardly had a soft schedule. MI was very highly ranked at the beginning of the season. Mateer was just never really the same after that hand injury...and they never developed a consistent ground game. Defense/turnovers and special teams were the reasons for most wins. Never got to face Vandy.

846 ops there is far from bad. We shall see.

"Splitters particularly give Murakami fits, as he’s done very little damage against them. Despite some of the worst contact rates in NPB..." Very few splitters/forkballs in MLB. Roki Sasaki with one of the most hyoed/famous ones. Creates significant health concerns for pitchers.

Helpful against Skubal and Ragans...to name a few.

That's pretty much a given. Will probably get tired of them. Which is a good thing, compared to the last three seasons. See Ohtani generating an extra $100-150 million per year in revenue for LAD. One would guess Close has a very strong sense how much Suzuki and Imanaga earn in additional opportunities on the Northside from Japanese companies.

Not well though...LF arm and basically a statue out there..

Yoshida also comes to mind here. $90 million was a significant deal at the time. Mostly a disappointment, overall.

All the Marte no trade teams were weird. You'd expect the entire AL Central Rockies Pirates A's. Not the case.

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.

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.

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

Not so sure when Song was only 3/$13 and a utility player with much less fanfare surrounding him. That said, many possible contract structures, opt outs, negotiations with Yakult about posting fees, etc. Maybe 6-8 teams making final offers or quickly pivoting to Bregman Okamoto Bellinger and Bichette. Would guess very late Sunday...but then you're running into all the NFL/fantasy news (or hangovers across Chicago after last night's drama). Monday seems equally likely. Or maybe an announcement Sunday of final 3 teams like Sasaki did and then an ultimate decision eventually trickling out Monday afternoon.

You could have watched Love before he joins the Chiefs...

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-rumors-trades-and-signings?t=trades-and-transactions "Dec. 20: White Sox 'engaged in talks' with Murakami (sources) Munetaka Murakami is one of two star Japanese sluggers who have been posted for MLB clubs to negotiate with on a potential contract this offseason, the other being Kazuma Okamoto. Murakami's posting window is scheduled to close on Dec. 22, meaning a conclusion to his free agency is on the horizon. According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand and Scott Merkin, the White Sox are among the teams "engaged in talks" with Murakami's camp as the deadline approaches. The White Sox lost an MLB single-season record 121 games in 2024, though Chicago improved by 19 games last season. The club could definitely use some slug in the lineup after only one team -- the Pirates -- had a lower team slugging percentage last season than the White Sox's .373."

Add the Blue Jays to the list of potential suitors for free agent Alex Bregman. Toronto officials have been in contact with Scott Boras, the third baseman’s agent, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Red Sox, Cubs, and Diamondbacks have also been connected to Bregman.

Since Jahdae Walker first stepped foot inside Halas Hall in May, his coaches and teammates have all shared a general consensus about the rookie receiver. He is different. His energy. His passion. His kid-like love for football. And, of course, his ability to invigorate his teammates with the highlight-reel talent he's displayed. "I've never met anyone as energetic, as charismatic as him," said defensive tackle Shemar Turner, who played with Walker at Texas A&M. "What I think he brings to a team is just that love for the sport and then that energy. When he scores a touchdown, you see how the whole sideline goes crazy, just because everybody has his back." https://www.chicagobears.com/news/jahdae-walker-blessed-for-the-opportunity-after-making-53-man-roster

"Late on Saturday night, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand revealed that the Chicago White Sox are talking to Murakami right now. Feinsand also suggested that there are multiple teams talking to Murakami. Not long after Feinsand’s post was published, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo arrived on the X scene and contributed a Red Sox update concerning not only Murakami, but also Kazuma Okamoto, another corner infielder and slugger from Japan. But Murakami and Okamoto have been loosely linked to the Red Sox this offseason. According to Cotillo’s sources, the Red Sox have “kicked the tires” on both players." More confirmation of Feinsand/Merkin reporting... https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25334981-mlb-rumors-munetaka-murakamis-free-agency-new-team-linked-landing-spot https://www.chosun.com/english/sports-en/2025/12/21/6DTKYDSTLNFHFN5FCVMCS4QSSI/ South Korean news outlet rehashing everything through "Song-colored glasses"

https://www.forbes.com/profile/casey-close/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwj2p5yblM6RAxX-LEQIHZcPJJEQFnoECAMQAg&usg=AOvVaw2zBqORyvd8EQu-7BGv4Sjp Casey Close established himself on the baseball diamond for the Michigan Wolverines and in the minor leagues before venturing into athlete representation with IMG, later moving to CAA and, finally, Excel Sports Management. His clients at Excel include Clayton Kershaw, Cal Raleigh and Kyle Tucker. "Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer met with Tucker's agent, Casey Close of Excel Sports Management, at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Wednesday, where team officials, league executives and player representatives filtered throughout the hotel and casino."