Could Kazuma Okamoto Solve the Blue Jays' Infield Dilemma?

[Sam Charles]

The waiting game continues for the Blue Jays and other teams across baseball as they consider their options when it comes to solidifying their infield.

There was a league-wide sense of excitement when Kazuma Okamoto was posted by his Nippon Professional Baseball team, the Yomiuri Giants, back in November. Reports suggest the Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Pirates have all expressed interest in signing Okamoto over the past month.

The 29-year-old had six straight 30-home run seasons between 2018 and 2023 in Japan. His 2024 season broke his streak, as he finished off with only 27 homers, down from the 41 he hit the year before. Okamoto was limited to just 69 games this past season due to an elbow injury but still managed 15 home runs and a .992 OPS.

Okamoto is known for his power, contact and low strikeout rate. Last season, his strikeout rate was only 11.3%, compared to a 19.5% league average. Since 2020, it hasn’t been higher than 20%. His contact-first style would seamlessly blend into the Jays’ lineup, suiting the offensive philosophy that propelled them to their best season in more than thirty years.

According to Baseball America, he is also an "above-average" fielder at third base and a "plus-plus defender" at first. However, Eric Longenhagen and James Fegan of FanGraphs disagree, calling his defense "below-average" at third base.

Ultimately, the Jays do not need a Matt Chapman‑level glove at third to win. All they need is a reliable enough fielder at the hot corner. If Okamoto’s third base defense is passable, and he can spell Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first occasionally, then his bat will make up for the rest. Toronto’s roster features athletic defenders Andrés Giménez and Ernie Clement in the middle infield, allowing for a bat‑first third baseman whose glove won’t cost outs disproportionately. 

What might be delaying Okamoto's signing is a logjam of corner infielders yet to be signed or traded. The same is true for fellow Japanese infielder Munetaka Murakami. Teams could be waiting to see where names like Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado end up.

A quick note on Murakami, who is three years younger than Okamoto: He is vying for a longer-term contract, perhaps in the range of seven or eight years at around $20 million per season. Evaluators predict that in their first two or three years in MLB, Okamoto will be more successful, but in the long term, Murakami has more potential. That rationale is why teams with immediate postseason aspirations might prefer Okamoto, while those with longer-term outlooks could be more interested in Murakami. For a team like the Jays, there is something to be said about going with what you know rather than the unknown. 

If signed by an MLB club, Okamoto is projected to fetch about $68 million over four years. That is a little less annually than Eugenio Suárez, who is a bit older at 34 years old. DiamondCentric projects Suárez to sign for $55 million over three years.

If Okamoto does sign in that range, the Jays (or whoever signs him) would also be on the hook for a posting fee to the Yomiuri Giants equal to 20% of the first $25 million, 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% of any amount over $50 million.

Okamoto will turn 30 in June, so he is older than some recent Japanese imports. His workload across NBP games prior to 2025 would suggest durability, and even an injury-shortened 2025 didn’t seem to negatively impact his production.

Part of the rationale for the Myles Straw trade last offseason was to add international bonus pool space. The hope was that the Jays could entice Roki Sasaki to sign in Toronto. That move not only illustrated their interest in Sasaki, who eventually signed with the Dodgers, but also that they are interested in talent coming out of Japan. Munenori Kawasaki was a fan-favourite in Toronto but not exactly a superstar. The Jays' courting of Sasaki, and Shohei Ohtani before him, illustrates their interest in adding former NBP players to their roster.

Earlier this offseason, the Jays made headlines for a bold marketing decision, displaying their logo prominently during a title boxing match in Tokyo, which sparked scrutiny from the commissioner's office about international marketing permissions. The episode might suggest the team is trying to subtly increase its Japanese visibility and fanbase in an effort to build brand awareness in Japan and perhaps court a major NPB star in the future (or right now).

The Jays still have some tough decisions to make this offseason. Okamoto might not be their top pick, but he would be a capable fit for the infield and the lineup at a reasonable cost.

If they can’t re-sign Bo Bichette, they still need to add some reliable offense behind Guerrero, and Okamoto fits the bill. It's also not impossible that the Jays could sign both Okamoto and Bichette. Based on Ross Atkins and the front office’s public posture this winter, and the club’s recent push to engage Japanese fans, the organization is motivated to bring in top NPB talent.

The market for the top free agents seems to have cooled a bit after the Winter Meetings, but Murakami's posting window will close soon, and once he signs, other moves could follow quickly. Time is ticking on Okamoto, too, as his 45-day negotiation window with MLB teams runs until January 4, 2026.

Okamoto might be a gamble, but one that could pay off for the Blue Jays. Signing him now would provide some insurance if the other dominoes don’t fall in Toronto's favour.

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[Terry Mesmer]

What dilemma?