Overview
- Toronto officially signed NPB star Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract, adding a primary third-base option.
- League reports say the Blue Jays have increased efforts to sign free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, with recent talks and some evaluators labeling Toronto a leading suitor.
- Insiders including Ken Rosenthal and The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon report a Bichette return is increasingly unlikely following Okamoto’s addition and the resulting infield fit.
- GM Ross Atkins said ownership supports further spending but warned new additions would cut into established players’ at-bats, as outside analyses note steep luxury-tax costs that make pairing Tucker and Bichette unlikely.
- Bichette remains connected in reports to multiple clubs such as the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Phillies and Red Sox, with some suggesting Toronto would only revisit a short-term, opt-out-heavy scenario.