Chicago White Sox sign Japanese star Munetaka Murakami to $34m deal

• Murakami joins White Sox on $34m, two-year deal

• Former NPB MVP adds power to Chicago rebuild

• Deal includes posting fee, award-based escalators

The rebuilding Chicago White Sox added Munetaka Murakami to their lineup on Sunday, agreeing to a $34m, two-year contract with the Japanese slugger.

Murakami, who turns 26 on 2 February, joins a promising group of young hitters that also includes Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox finished last in the AL Central this year with a 60-102 record, a 19-game improvement from the previous season.