Blue Jays to sign Japanese free agent infielder Kazuma Okamoto

Matt Sullivan

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Blue Jays to sign Japanese free agent infielder Kazuma Okamoto image

The Toronto Blue Jays have been active in many ways this winter, but there is still one area of the roster they've yet to address: the lineup.

But, just a few days into the New Year, Toronto has added a new slugger to the lineup. While it's not Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, or Alex Bregman, it's an infielder who is a hot name this winter.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Blue Jays are signing Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto to a free agent deal, winning the sweepstakes for the best remaining Japanese free agent.

Blue Jays to sign Kazuma Okamoto to free agent deal

"BREAKING: Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a free agent contract, sources tell ESPN," Passan reported.

Okamoto is a 29-year-old infielder who was one of the top three Japanese free agents who were posted this offseason. While Tatsuya Imai and Munetaka Murakami signed elsewhere with the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox, Toronto is landing Okamoto.

He's coming off a.992 OPS season in 2025 in the NPB last season. Across 77 games, he hit 15 home runs, had 51 RBIs, and was one of the top hitters in the league.

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This is a big deal for the Blue Jays. While it's not a top name on the market like Bichette, Tucker, or Bregman, it's a move that could have a major impact on those options.

Bregman and Bichette might be off the table now, since Okamoto is a third baseman. While the Blue Jays could move some things around to fit Bichette back into the lineup as a second baseman, Toronto now might shift to the outfield this winter.

Toronto lands its first big bat this winter, with the team likely planning to shift now to the outfield for Tucker or Cody Bellinger.

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