The Cincinnati Reds could really use a solid bat from free agency.
They didn't land Kyle Schwarber, which is a bummer, but there are still plenty of options out there.
One of them is a bit less known than the guys who have been plying their trade in MLB already.
Kazuma Okamoto is a 29-year old corner infielder coming over from Japan. The Athletic's Jim Bowden has named the Reds as the best free agent match for him.
"The Reds have a lot of first base options, led by Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand," Bowden writes. "However, Steer can play left field and Encarnacion-Strand is more of a DH-type. Okamoto would be a huge upgrade for them in the lineup, bringing plate discipline and power that would play at Great American Small Park."
MORE: Christian Yelich shows his puppy a proper appreciation of Tavon Austin
Bowden lists the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates as his other best matches for Okamoto. Apparently this is going to come down to an NL Central battle.
Okamoto comes with a bit less hype than his countrymate Munetaka Murakami, whose claim to fame is hitting 56 home runs in the 2022 season.
Compared to that, Okamoto is more of a slow-and-steady-wins-the-race kind of hitter.
The Reds could use all kinds of bats in their lineup. They have a great pitching staff and just need a bit more run production.
Okamoto could be the ideal pickup to add run production at a reasonable cost and try to make it back to the playoffs again in 2026.
More MLB news:
- Dodgers' payroll is even more loaded with Edwin Diaz
- It's a good day to remember Bob Feller's brilliance and his time in the U.S. Navy
- How Aroldis Chapman is able to pitch for Great Britain in the WBC
- Nationals sign pitcher after 3 seasons in Japan