Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami signs with the Chicago White Sox

[pwaldo]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ml...White-Sox.html

Three years removed from breaking one of Japan's most celebrated home run records, Munetaka Murakami is finally crossing the Pacific in a decision that has stunned baseball fans.

The slugging corner infielder was expected to sign with an MLB team this winter, but rather than following in the footsteps of Shohei Ohtani to Los Angeles or another wealthy team, Murakami has instead agreed to a two-year, $34 million deal with the rebuilding Chicago White Sox.

'WHITE SOX?' read a stunned post from a fan of the Boston Red Sox - one of several playoff teams rumored to be interested in Murakami.

The agreement comes after the White Sox won MLB's Draft Lottery to obtain the first pick in 2026 as a quartet of talented shortstops are expected to be among the most sought-after prospects.

'The #1 pick and Murakami within the span of like 2 weeks,' one optimistic Sox fan wrote on X. 'Who has it better than us?'

Naturally a few South Siders credited Pope Leo XIV, a Chicagoland native and devout White Sox fan: 'Chicago Pope performing miracles for the Sox.'

[ethunder]

Definitely didn't expect this signing with all the other rumored teams involved!

[bakemeister52]

I hope he helps the White Sox's! Glad to see the big boys not get a good pick!

Bake