"The two sides didn't look to be a fit early in the offseason, when industry expectations were that the 25-year-old Murakami would command a long-term deal and when White Sox GM Chris Getz openly spoke about reluctance to commit to free agents beyond the upcoming season. However, when Murakami's market didn't develop as hoped, the South Siders opportunistically pounced and landed him on a two-year contract. Murakami has 80-grade raw power but concerns scouts with his struggles against velocity, penchant for whiffing and limited defensive flexibility."
"The Red Sox have operated exclusively on the trade market thus far, adding and Willson Contreras (in separate trades) from the Cardinals and Johan Oviedo from the Pirates. They're the only team in the American League that hasn't signed a free agent to a major league contract this winter and one of just two teams in either league fitting that description (joining the Rockies as the other)."
Munetaka Murakami will be introduced by the White Sox at an 11am CT press conference. The club signed Murakami to a two-year contract after his market softened, citing his 80-grade raw power that could produce 30–40 home runs. Scouts note struggles against velocity, a propensity to whiff, and limited defensive flexibility. White Sox executives will outline Murakami's role and next steps. The Red Sox have dealt exclusively on the trade market, acquiring Willson Contreras and Johan Oviedo, and remain the only American League club without a major league free-agent signing this winter. Contreras' arrival appears to push Triston Casas down the depth chart; Casas is recovering from knee surgery and has a minor league option, while Masataka Yoshida's contract complicates DH opportunities.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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