Toronto Blue Jays Continue To Dominate The Offseason, Signing Third Baseman Kazuma Okamoto
The Toronto Blue Jays have been one of the busiest teams this offseason, adding another impact player to their roster. Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that Japanese Third Baseman Kazuma Okamoto and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed on a free-agent contract. He’s been one of the best overall hitters to come out of Japan in recent memory, and he adds a ton of power to Toronto’s lineup.
Blue Jays Continue To Add
After falling two outs short of a World Series title last year, the Blue Jays have been extremely aggressive this offseason as they once again will look to achieve the goal of a championship in 2026. Adding Okamoto to an already above-average lineup is stellar, and he’s shown he can handle MLB-level pitching and high velocity throughout his time in Japan. In just 69 games, he slashed .322/.411/.581 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI.
Apart from this past season, Okamoto has hit 25 or more home runs every year since 2018. He brings outstanding bat-to-ball skills and will be a key contributor in the heart of the lineup. Unlike Munetaka Murakami, Okamoto is projected to adjust smoothly to the big leagues. He’s already proven he can succeed against elite international arms like Roki Sasaki and other MLB-caliber pitchers in the World Baseball Classic, where he batted .333 with a 1.278 OPS in 2023.
What’s Next For Toronto?
After securing Okamoto, I expect the Blue Jays to target the top free agent bat on the market: Kyle Tucker. With Okamoto joining the infield, Toronto now faces a logjam in that area, while a significant vacancy remains in left field, making Tucker an ideal fit. Not only is Tucker a more complete player than Bo Bichette, but he also comes with fewer injury concerns than Bichette, whose health remains a question mark.
Given the abundance of right-handed talent in the lineup, Toronto desperately needs a power-hitting left-handed slugger, which is a role Tucker would fill perfectly. Even during a down year, he still managed to hit over 20 home runs with an OPS above .800. Meanwhile, I doubt Toronto will meet Bichette’s contract demands, especially after his serious knee injury suffered during a collision at home plate last season.
It is also worth noting that the specifics of Okamoto’s contract have yet to be disclosed, and depending on its length, it could impact how Toronto manages a high payroll moving forward.
