The Toronto Blue Jays made their first big offseason move to improve the lineup for the 2026 season, signing Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million deal.
Okamoto's addition to the lineup might not be the last, as Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Cody Bellinger, or another top free agent might come to Toronto this winter to join a World Series hopeful.
But, for now, the Blue Jays' lineup after adding Okamoto is still very strong. The team's projected lineup for 2026 is an exciting one, even with Bichette still unsigned, and a spot open for further upgrades.
Blue Jays' projected lineup for 2026 after Kazuma Okamoto's $60M deal is strong
A projected lineup for 2026 could look something like this:
1. George Springer, DH
2. Daulton Varsho, CF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
4. Addison Barger, RF
5. Alejandro Kirk, C
6. Anthony Santander, LF
7. Kazuma Okamoto, 3B
8. Ernie Clement, 2B
9. Andrew Gimenez, SS
That lineup is subject to change. If someone like Tucker is signed to the roster, then he could slide into the second spot in the lineup, while Varsho slides down a bit, and the rest of the order is altered.
But, even if nothing else changes, this lineup still has what it takes to be among the best in the Major Leagues in 2026.
This lineup was mostly the same in 2025, with the main difference from now being the lack of Bichette and the addition of Okamoto.
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While there is some unknown's with Okamoto, his.992 OPS in 77 games during a shortened 2025 season was very impressive, and should be a slugger worth being excited about.
Having such a hitter in the bottom third of the lineup is a sign that the lineup ahead of him is incredible. Someone could drop down behind Okamoto if the left-handed slugger starts the year off strong.
Regardless of how it works out, the current Blue Jays lineup is a great one. But what makes this such an exciting time is that this projected lineup for 2026 might be getting even better in the coming weeks.
Add a Tucker, Bellinger, or even Bichette to this lineup, and the Blue Jays could go from having one of the best to arguably the best lineups in all of Major League Baseball next season.
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