Blue Jays have unexpected plan for Kazuma Okamoto after $60 million deal

Matt Sullivan

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Blue Jays have unexpected plan for Kazuma Okamoto after $60 million deal image

The Toronto Blue Jays have been one of the only teams this offseason to be big spenders, signing Dylan Cease to a $210 million deal, and a few others to eight-figure, multi-year contracts.

Their most recent move was to acquire free agent infielder Kazuma Okamoto, signing the six-time NPB All-Star to a $60 million, four-year deal.

He played third and first base in Japan, but coming to Toronto, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Blue Jays have a different plan for the Japanese slugger.

Blue Jays have unexpected plan for Kazuma Okamoto

"Even after signing infielder Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract, with a formal press conference scheduled for Tuesday, they still want to add another power hitter." Nightengale writes. "Their preference is to make Okamoto a super utility player."

Okamoto was widely viewed as a corner infielder this offseason, with teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates eyeing him as a third baseman, and the San Diego Padres planning to play him at first base.

But the Blue Jays plan to move him around a lot more than just those two spots. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr., there isn't an opening at first base this upcoming season.

Instead, Okamoto will play a combination of third base and likely in the outfield to shake things up this upcoming season.

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He does have some experience in the outfield, but it's not been his primary position. He's more often than not spent time at third base, with some first base and the occasional outfield start, the last few years.

The 29-year-old slugger had a.992 OPS in 2025 and will be a huge asset to the lineup for the Blue Jays. But his most interesting fit will be where he plays in the field.

Third base is the most natural spot, but if the Blue Jays want him as a super utility player, he will likely get some time in the outfield, and they might also try him at second base, even though he's not played there in the NPB.

Keeping a close eye on where he plays in Spring Training and at camp will be very interesting, as there are a lot of possible scenarios up in the air with Okamoto as a super utility player for Toronto in 2026. 

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Staff Writer