MLB Summary

Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, known for hitting 56 home runs in Nippon Professional Baseball in 2022, has signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. The deal was finalized just one day before the expected commencement of the 2025 MLB season, highlighting the White Sox's aggressive offseason strategy.

Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox have traded for first baseman Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals, sending right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins and two minor-league pitchers in return. Contreras has consistently performed at a high level, hitting at least 20 home runs in six of his ten MLB seasons.

These moves come amid a flurry of winter transactions as teams look to strengthen their rosters ahead of the upcoming season. Additionally, the Los Angeles Dodgers are set to pay a record $169.4 million luxury tax for the 2025 season after winning their second consecutive World Series title, marking the financial stakes in play this offseason.

The Red Sox's acquisition of Contreras and the White Sox's signing of Murakami are two of the key highlights of the ongoing MLB offseason, which also includes many teams focusing on bolstering their pitching depth as they prepare for the new season.