Munetaka Murakami would be open to discussing a new deal with the Chicago White Sox already.
"If they do offer something and feel that they would want me still, I would love to have that talk," the first baseman said about a potential contract extension, according to The Athletic's Sam Blum.
Murakami signed a two-year, $34-million deal with the White Sox in December after a successful career in Japan. He set the single-season home-run record for a Japanese-born player in Nippon Professional Baseball in 2022.
The deal came as a bit of a surprise, considering the 26-year-old was expected to earn a lucrative, long-term contract. Murakami has silenced offseason criticism over his strikeout rate and owns a .907 OPS with 15 home runs and 29 RBIs in 41 games. He ranks second in the AL in round-trippers behind only Aaron Judge.
"Obviously, there are a lot of critics that say critical comments … that are really something I ignore," Murakami said. "Because some people who do make critical comments, or have something to say against me, would be somebody who's not really playing ball.
"I know who I am, and what kind of challenges I do face every single day. It's just about proving to the doubters how much I can play in this league."
The White Sox sit second in the AL Central with a 20-21 record after finishing each of the last three campaigns with 61 wins or less.
