Twins’ path to the postseason returns more difficult after division rival Munetaka signed Murakami

A lot has to go right for the Twins to reach the postseason next year. Joe Ryan and Pablo López should stay healthy for most of the year; the rest of the starting rotation needs to be more consistent; the depleted bullpen should be much better than it was after last season’s trade deadline; and many young hitters need to stay healthy and perform at their best.

To make things even tougher for the Twins, their division shockingly competes with the Chicago White Sox signed Japanese corner infielder Munetaka Murakamiwho won two MVPs while playing in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Twins’ path to postseason return just got tougher after rival White Sox shockingly signed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami

Murakami’s contract with the White Sox is for two years and is worth 34 million dollars. ESPN’s Jeff Passan first announced the news and Chicago already officially announced the signing. He played primarily at third base in Japan, but will also play first for the White Sox.

While $34 million is a large amount of money, it is relatively low for a player with Murakami’s potential. In eight NPB seasons, the new White Sox first baseman hit .270/.394/.557 with 246 home runs and 647 RBI in 892 games. He may have to make adjustments at the big league level, but his track record still suggests he could be an All-Star in the Major Leagues.

Murakami, 25, joining Chicago will make the Twins’ return to the postseason much more difficult. Sure, the White Sox most likely won’t be a playoff team next year, even if the American League Central appears to be wide open. However, the Twins went 5-8 against the White Sox last season, and Chicago has a lot of young talent. Adding Murakami probably won’t turn them into a playoff team, but it will almost certainly make them better, which isn’t good for the Twins, who will have to face them 13 times.

Twins fans may remember Murakami from the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). He initially struggled in the tournament, but later redeemed himself by hitting a walk-off double in the semifinals and a solo homer in the final en route to Japan’s WBC victory.