Murakami Date: Dec. 21, 2025
Murakami Transaction: Signed a two-year, $34 million deal in free agency
Okamoto Date: Jan. 4, 2026
Okamoto Transaction: Signed a four-year, $60 million deal in free agency
Two of Japan’s most accomplished sluggers made the move stateside last offseason. Both debuted with a bang and immediately emerged as middle-of-the-order threats.
Murakami: 127 G, 130 OPS+, 35 HR, 77 RBI, 2.3 WAR
Okamoto: 156 G, 107 OPS+, 33 HR, 92 RBI, 2.5 WAR
The swing-and-miss concerns that caused Murakami’s market to fall flat were not unfounded. He batted .207 with a 35.5 percent strikeout rate, but he was undoubtedly a key cog in the middle of the upstart White Sox offense.
Okamoto set Toronto’s rookie home run record. He also proved to be a better-than-expected third baseman after some thought that he might fit best across the diamond at first base.
All in all, two extremely successful signings.