MLB Insider confirms White Sox taking right approach with Munetaka Murakami extension

Earlier this season, the Chicago White Sox’s decision to sign free agent Munetaka Murakami looked like one of the biggest bargains of the offseason. Chicago landed the slugger on a two-year, $34 million deal, and despite missing time with a hamstring injury, Murakami came out firing. Through his first 60 games, he had launched 20 home runs while posting a .911 OPS.

The next 60 games, however, have painted a much different picture. Since the All-Star break, Murakami has posted a .709 OPS with just 12 home runs, while his declining batting average and rising strikeout numbers have become the bigger concerns.

Since August. 19, the struggles have become even more pronounced. Murakami is slashing just .112/.258/.224 over his last 30 games, with 56 strikeouts during that stretch. His power has also disappeared, as he has hit just three home runs in that span.

With Murakami trending in the wrong direction, the White Sox have reportedly pumped the brakes on any potential contract extension. General manager Chris Getz previously confirmed that the two sides had discussed the possibility of a contract extension, but those conversations appear to have taken a back seat amid his recent struggles.

The Chicago White Sox front office remains interested in extending Munetaka Murakami, but there is no urgency

Given the way Murakami opened the season, it was easy to see why extension talks surfaced so quickly. The idea of locking him up after a breakout start could have potentially saved the organization money before his value increased even further.

His recent slump, however, has seemingly changed the equation, as outlined in a blurb from Bob Nightengale’s Sunday Notebook below. With Murakami struggling at the plate, the White Sox now have more reason to take a step back and evaluate whether an extension makes sense, particularly with questions surrounding where his value could ultimately settle and how the new financial landscape of baseball will look in 2027.

–The Chicago White Sox say there is no urgency in signing Munetaka Murakami to a contract extension considering his recent struggles.

Bob Nightengale

For now, taking a cautious approach makes sense for the White Sox as they evaluate Murakami’s long-term future. His early-season production showed the upside that made an extension appealing in the first place, but his recent struggles have introduced legitimate questions that weren’t as big of an issue beforehand. With time still left to see how he responds, and another year of team control left, Chicago can afford to wait rather than make a significant long-term commitment.

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