White Sox introduce Munetaka Murakami and quietly one-up Cubs in wild offseason twist

The Chicago White Sox introduced Munetaka Murakami on Monday after the Japanese slugger inked a two-year deal worth $34 million. While Murakami's deal with the White Sox fell quite short of the lofty long-term expectations he once had, it did confirm a sad reality for the Chicago Cubs this offseason.

Through nearly the first two months of the offseason, the White Sox have spent more money this offseason than the Cubs. The White Sox have made two signings so far this offseason, inking former Cubs reliever Anthony Kay on a two-year deal worth $12 million and Murakami at $34 million.

Munetaka Murakami's White Sox contract offers a sad fact about the Cubs' offseason.

Kay's deal carries a $6 million AAV for 2026, while Murakami will have an AAV of $16 million. In terms of money added to their 2026 payroll, the White Sox are at $22 million. $46 million altogether for the total value of the deals they've signed.

Meanwhile, it's been a quiet offseason for the Cubs. The Cubs made opportunistic moves by signing Phil Maton to a two-year deal worth $14.5 million, Hoby Milner on a one-year deal worth $3.75 million, and Caleb Thielbar at $4.5 million for one year. The Cubs also added Tyler Austin to their bench for $1.25.

In terms of their 2026 payroll, the Cubs have only added $16.75 million. Overall, they are at $24 million. That doesn't take into account the several minor-league signings they've also had, but still, that total amount spent doesn't quite reach $46 million.

If Cubs fans were told that with two weeks remaining before the calendar flipped to 2026, the White Sox would have spent more money in the offseason than the Cubs, as cynical as they already are, they would have thought someone failed a math class.

With Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger, Tatsuya Imai, and Zac Gallen all still on the free-agent market, the impression is that the Cubs will soon have spent more money this offseason than the White Sox. The Cubs' current luxury tax payroll sits at $203 million, while the White Sox are at are a little over $101 million.

The point of this exercise is that the offseason is still early. Yes, the Cubs have missed on several free-agent targets, but there remain multiple paths available that will lead to them having a successful offseason. Or, in this case, spending more money this winter than the White Sox.

The impression is that the Cubs will be close to the first level of the luxury tax, $244 million, by Opening Day. Even on a conservative scale, there should be an expectation that the Cubs add another $30 million to their payroll this offseason before leaving room for in-season moves.