A lot already has to go right for the Twins to make the postseason next year. Joe Ryan and Pablo López need to stay healthy for most of the year; the rest of the starting rotation needs to be more consistent; the depleted bullpen must be much better than it was after last season’s trade deadline; and many young hitters must stay healthy and perform to their potential.

To make matters even more difficult for the Twins, their division rival Chicago White Sox shockingly signed Japanese corner infielder Munetaka Murakami, who won two MVPs while playing in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Twins’ path to postseason return now more difficult after rival White Sox shockingly sign Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami

Murakami’s deal with the White Sox is for two years at $34 million. ESPN’s Jeff Passan first broke the news, and Chicago already officially announced the signing. He mainly played third base in Japan, but he will be playing first for the White Sox.

While $34 million is a large amount of money, it’s relatively low for a player of Murakami’s potential. In eight NPB seasons, the new White Sox first baseman hit .270/.394/.557 with 246 home runs and 647 RBI in 892 games. He may have to make adjustments at the big league level, but his track record still suggests he could be an All-Star in the Major Leagues.

Murakami, 25, joining Chicago makes the Twins’ path back to the postseason a lot more difficult. Sure, the White Sox are most likely not going to be a playoff team next year, even though the American League Central is seemingly wide open. However, the Twins went 5-8 against the White Sox last season, and Chicago has a lot of young talent. Adding Murakami likely doesn’t turn them into a playoff team, but it almost certainly will make them better, which isn’t good for the Twins, who will have to face them 13 times.

Twins fans may remember Murakami from the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). He initially struggled in the tournament, but he later redeemed himself by hitting a walk-off double in the semifinals and a solo homer in the finals en route to Japan’s WBC victory.

Munetaka Murakami was an electric factory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic pic.twitter.com/HDKKXewgue

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 21, 2025

White Sox fans, meet Munetaka Murakami 💪

The NPB slugger showed off his power in the 2023 World Baseball Classic Championship! pic.twitter.com/cCviyQtkvi

— MLB (@MLB) December 21, 2025