The Chicago White Sox took an out-of-character swing by signing Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract last winter.

Murakami had his share of struggles, especially in the second half of the season, but his 35 home runs in 127 games were enough to convince the White Sox to pursue a contract extension.

Chicago believes in Murakami and will continue those conversations during the early stages of the offseason in hopes of locking up its first baseman long-term.

The White Sox will also be looking to improve their roster and make a push toward the World Series in 2027, with the outfield being one area of focus already identified by GM Chris Getz.

There may even be a perfect fit for the White Sox overseas, with two other Japanese stars potentially making the jump to Major League Baseball in the near future.

Teruaki Sato

Teruaki Sato is a 27-year-old slugger who has spent his entire professional career with the Hanshin Tigers in Nippon Professional Baseball.

He's primarily a third baseman, but has plenty of experience in the outfield, both in NPB and with Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Sato is widely regarded as one of the most prolific offensive players in Japan, winning the Central League MVP award in 2025 after hitting 40 home runs with 102 RBIs.

In 2026, Sato batted .306 with 39 home runs, 106 RBIs and a .991 OPS. Those numbers were good enough for Sato to win the Central League Triple Crown, becoming the first player to accomplish that feat since current White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami in 2022.

Sato is expected to be made available to MLB teams through the posting system this offseason. His combination of power, experience and positional versatility should make him one of the more intriguing international free agents on the market.

For a White Sox team looking to add another impact bat to the lineup, Sato could be an excellent option to pursue in the outfield.

But it now appears he won't be the only Japanese star considering a move to Major League Baseball.

Shota Morishita

Shota Morishita is a 26-year-old outfielder and teammate of Sato with the Hanshin Tigers of NPB.

Morishita has recently started to garner international attention, largely due to his breakout 2026 season in which he hit .292 with 35 home runs, 84 RBIs and a .951 OPS across 143 games.

He also drew 71 walks while striking out just 95 times in 616 plate appearances, demonstrating an impressive combination of power, plate discipline and contact ability.

Unlike some of the other Japanese sluggers who have made the transition to Major League Baseball, Morishita doesn't come with the same significant swing-and-miss concerns. His 15.4% strikeout rate in 2026 is particularly encouraging given the power he's already developed.

Morishita has primarily played right field for the Tigers, and reports this week indicate that he's also hoping to be posted to sign with an MLB team in the near future.

Morishita has reportedly already signed with VC Sports Group, the same agency representing Hanshin Tigers teammate Teruaki Sato, as he prepares for a potential move to Major League Baseball.

He could inform the Tigers of his desire to eventually be posted as early as this offseason.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean Morishita will be joining MLB in 2027. His timeline remains uncertain, and Hanshin would have to approve his posting before he could negotiate with Major League teams.

Still, he's another intriguing name for the White Sox to keep an eye on as they look to build a more dangerous lineup around their young core.

If Murakami signs an extension with the White Sox this offseason, there's a chance we could eventually see one of his fellow Japanese stars join him on the South Side of Chicago, even if there's a delay.

The White Sox learned last winter just how rich the talent pool can be when looking overseas for established Japanese stars. That goes for Murakami and Toronto Blue Jays infielder Kazuma Okamoto, who hit 33 home runs as a rookie in 2026.

With the White Sox looking to take another step forward and the outfield being an obvious area of need, exploring the Japanese market again would make plenty of sense.

Don't be surprised if Chicago is in the conversation again this winter.