The White Sox have signed a two-year, $34 million contract with first baseman Murakami for the start of his MLB career. The team is hoping for better performance from left-handed-slugging first baseman who previously excelled in Japan. His English is improving, according to team manager Chris Getz. Despite his absence from the World Baseball Classic, the team has seen his strong, regimented work ethic and desire to prove his ability to play at the Major League level. The White Sox are not expected to contend in the American League Central, but are expected to perform marginally better than the 60-102 squad from 2025.