In a somewhat surprising move, the Toronto Blue Jays‘ latest free agent splash is neither Kyle Tucker nor Bo Bichette. Not even Alex Bregman. Instead, they’ve gone off the board—off the continent, in fact—to sign star Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto.
Insider Jon Heyman reports the deal is for four years and $60 million.
Okamoto has been one of Japan’s most versatile, multifaceted batters over the last decade. He hits for power but also has excellent bat-to-ball skills. For six straight seasons, from 2018 through 2023, Okamoto had 30+ home runs, while being in the vicinity of 100 RBIs. He was no slouch in 2024, with 27 HR, 83 RBIs and a .362 OBP. He was sidelined with an elbow injury for half of the 2025 season, but still posted 15 HRs and a .327 average with a 1.014 OPS. In a strong harbinger of his ability to adapt to MLB pitching, he registered as many walks as strikeouts (33 of each in 69 games).
The right-handed hitter is a six-time NPB All-Star with a lifetime slash line of .274/.355/.501 with an .882 OPS across 11 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants.
North American fans got a pretty good taste of what Okamoto can do with his otherworldly performance at the World Baseball Classic in 2023.
He batted .333 in the WBC for Japan, with a 1.278 OPS.
Where does Okamoto fit defensively for the Jays?
On the defensive side of the ball, the 29-year-old plays first and third base, with a bit of outfield experience as well. How this signing impacts the Jays’ other free agent pursuits remains to be seen.
With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ensconced at first, Okamoto could take most of his reps at third. That would push Addison Barger to right field. Or the two could split those duties. How does top free agent Tucker, a right-fielder, fit into all this? Additionally, if Bichette returns and plays second base, where does that leave Ernie Clement?
Blue Jays beat writer Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet suggests that one or more of the incumbents won’t be returning if more position player moves are still to come in free agency.
The Okamoto deal doesn’t necessarily preclude further additions, but the Blue Jays liked their position player core even before adding the 29-year-old, so any further additions might have to be paired with a corresponding subtraction via trade.
Still plenty of intrigue with the Jays’ free agency plans, but in the meantime, the defending American League champions have added an excellent all-around hitter to an already impressive lineup.
