Which NPB Stars Could the Blue Jays Target in Free Agency?

This offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays will take a close look at what went wrong in 2026. The offense lacked power drastically. They finished last in runs (648) and home runs (152) and finished 26th in slugging (.381). 

The starting rotation was pretty mediocre, ranking in the middle of the pack in major statistics. However, Dylan Cease was a major success, posting a Cy Young-worthy season and keeping the staff from falling further down the rankings. The bullpen started the season rough but became a strength in the second half. So, the Blue Jays could use improvements across the board. 

One direction the team could look toward for help is Nippon Professional Baseball. Three current NPB stars are likely to be posted this offseason, while a former NPB star is one of the best bats approaching free agency. Here’s how each of those players could impact the Blue Jays next season. 

Seiya Suzuki

Seiya Suzuki has spent five seasons in MLB with the Cubs, posting solid power numbers and staying healthy. Over the last four seasons, he has played in at least 132 games, which would be a welcome asset after the Blue Jays' injuries all season. During Suzuki’s career, he has a slash line of .269/.351/.473 with 113 home runs, 374 runs, 382 RBIs, and an .823 OPS. His 4.6 fWAR this season would have led Toronto’s hitters by a wide margin, with Kazuma Okamoto finishing behind him at 3.0.

The outfielder has been average defensively over his career, with a +1 OAA as his career high before improving significantly this past season to a +5 rating. The Blue Jays have outfielders Anthony Santander and Addison Barger returning from injury, but can the team trust them after two seasons of injuries and poor play? Barger can also play in the infield. 

The Jays had seven prospects make their MLB debuts in 2026 because position player injuries forced their hand. So, if there’s an opportunity to add a player of Suzuki's caliber, Toronto can’t pass that up. The free agent market for position players this offseason will be a weak class. Randy Arozarena, Ian Happ, and Brandon Lowe are some of the only potential free agents who measure up to Suzuki offensively.

Teruaki Sato

Since the number of offensively productive free agents available could be slim, the Blue Jays may need to look overseas to beef up their lineup. One player already connected to the Blue Jays is Teruaki Sato, who has played the last six seasons for the Hanshin Tigers. Over those seasons in NPB, he slashed .272/.339/.516 with 436 runs, 162 home runs, 514 RBIs, and a .855 OPS.

Sato will be heavily sought after, given the success of Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami this season. Sato’s high strikeout rate is a concern, though; he posted a 26.6 percent rate this past season with the Tigers. This may scare teams away, since Murakami had the same concern last offseason and posted a 35 percent strikeout rate in his first season in North America.

There are also concerns about where Sato would play. He’s predominantly played third base and outfield, but many MLB teams view him as a first baseman. If the Blue Jays pursued him, it would be to play outfield or DH if George Springer isn't re-signed, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Okamoto handling the corner infield positions.

Either way, the team found success with Okamoto carrying the load in the power department in 2026, which could make signing Sato a big win if it comes to fruition. Springer's 15 homers were the next closest to Okamoto’s 33, so more potential power has to be a priority for Toronto.

Kaima Taira

Kaima Taira is also drawing a lot of MLB attention. He has spent eight seasons with the Seibu Lions, posting an incredible 1.78 ERA over 592 innings. This past season was arguably the best of his career; the right-handed pitcher posted a 1.36 ERA in 146 innings, with a 141:45 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 0.959 WHIP. 

Taira also has experience pitching in high-leverage late-inning situations. In 2025, he converted 31 saves over 52 2/3 innings and posted a 1.71 ERA. He has an eight-pitch arsenal that includes a four- and two-seam fastball, cutter, changeup, splitter, sweeper, slider, and curveball. Tairo has been labeled by many as the next-best option to Tarik Skubal for teams wanting a top-tier pitcher.

The Blue Jays have a great trio to man the front end of their rotation with Cease, José Soriano, and Trey Yesavage. That means Taira would only need to be an end-of-the-rotation guy. He could also fill an Eric Lauer/Spencer Miles role, pitching in high-leverage innings out of the bullpen or occasionally being an opener. I'd say for Toronto he'd be a better back-of-the-rotation pitcher, considering his durability.

Hiromi Itoh

Hiromi Itoh has been a power arm for the Nippon-Ham Fighters’ starting rotation for six seasons. Over those seasons, he has thrown 1,000 2/3 innings, posting a 2.92 ERA, a 902:245 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and a 1.169 WHIP. The right-hander has a seven-pitch arsenal that includes a mid-90s four- and two-seam fastball, splitter, slider, sweeper, changeup, cutter, and curveball. 

A positive to adding Itoh is that he is a workhorse. He’s thrown at least 150 innings in each of the last five seasons. Given all the Blue Jays' injuries this year, a durable pitcher for the back of the rotation would be a welcome addition.

At 29, Itoh is a little more than two years older than Taira, but each would be an intriguing option to add to a pitching staff. Both pitchers are on the shorter side, but they will hope to compensate for their smaller frames with deep arsenals. Taira can hit 100 mph with his fastball, while Itoh is better known for his command.

ESPN's Jeff Passan expects Sato, Taira, and Itoh’s teams to start their 45-day posting window in early November. However, with the threat of a potential lockout, Passan believes the three NPB players will be signed by December 1, when the CBA expires. MLB teams may be unwilling to make other big moves until a CBA is agreed upon, which makes any posted overseas player an appealing target. 

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