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yesterday

Blue Jays Reach Four-Year Deal With Japanese Slugger Kazuma Okamoto, Reports Say

The late-window agreement positions him to anchor third base for a lineup already reinforced by major pitching additions.

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MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 20: Kazuma Okamoto #25 of Team Japan runs to first base after being walked during the sixth inning against Team Mexico during the World Baseball Classic Semifinals at loanDepot park on March 20, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 30: Aaron Judge #99, Paul Goldschmidt #48, and Cody Bellinger #35 of the New York Yankees look on from the dugout during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • ESPN and other outlets report Toronto and Okamoto have an agreement valued at four years and $60 million, with multiple reports also noting an approximately $5 million signing bonus.
  • Okamoto’s posting window was set to close Jan. 5 under the NPB-MLB system, and the Blue Jays will owe a posting fee to the Yomiuri Giants based on the contract.
  • The 29-year-old is a six-time NPB All-Star and three-time home run leader who logged six straight 30-homer seasons, with an injury-shortened 2025 in which he hit .327/.416/.598 with 15 homers in 69 games.
  • He is expected to play third base in Toronto with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first, a move that could influence how the club proceeds on free agents such as Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker.
  • Toronto’s active offseason already included adding starters Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce and reliever Tyler Rogers, making Okamoto the first major position-player addition.