The Chicago White Sox are not exactly one of the top teams in baseball when it comes to offseason destinations, this even though they play in such a large market.
Let’s face it: the White Sox live in the shadow of the Cubs, which is pretty ironic considering the Cubs haven’t exactly been spending money themselves in recent years.
Nevertheless, the White Sox are trying to rebound after an absolutely brutal stretch the last several seasons, and apparently, ESPN’s David Schoenfield feels that Chicago will actually make a major splash this winter.
In a recent piece where Schoenfield predicted landing spots for some of the top remaining free agents, he tabbed the White Sox for Japanese corner infielder Munetaka Murakami.
“The White Sox have money to spend — their current estimated payroll is just $68 million and that includes $20 million for Luis Robert Jr., who might be traded,” Schoenfield wrote. “They have a desperate need for power and Murakami fits at either third or first, depending on where Miguel Vargas ends up. This would be a nice roll of the dice for a White Sox team that looks to be on the rise.”
Schoenfield is projecting that Murakami will bag a five-year, $80 million contract.
The catch is that Murakami has to sign by Dec. 22, so if Chicago is going to do this, it needs to act quickly.
Could the Chicago White Sox actually stun baseball with this move?
Mar 21, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Japan third baseman Munetaka Murakami (55) looks on after hitting a home run during the second inning against USA at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
I don’t think anyone had the White Sox landing a marquee free agent on their bingo card heading into the hot stove, so it would be one bucket of ice water if Chicago were able to pry Murakami away from teams like the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners.
Murakami began his professional career with the Yakult Sparrows in 2018 and has spent his entire tenure in Japan with the club. He missed extensive time with an oblique injury this past season, but still managed to slash .286/.392/.659 with 24 home runs and 52 RBI over 610 plate appearances.
The “Japanese Babe Ruth,” or so he is called, also smashed 56 homers back in 2022 and has homered 265 times across 1,003 games, so he has certainly flashed prodigious power. Of course, whether or not that actually translates to the MLB remains to be seen, but there is no doubting that he is an enticing slugger.
Still just 25 years old, Murakami could prove to be an integral piece in Chicago for years to come.
We’ll see if the White Sox can get it done.
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