Kazuma Okamoto Arrives in U.S. for Final Meetings as Jan. 4 MLB Deadline Nears

Overview

• Kazuma Okamoto has flown to the United States for in-person meetings as his 45-day posting window reaches its final week.
• His signing deadline is Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. ET, moved from Jan. 2 after his posting was confirmed on Nov. 21.
• Multiple outlets report the Padres, Angels and Pirates as leading contenders, with the Blue Jays and Red Sox also previously linked.
• The longtime Yomiuri Giants slugger, a career .277/.361/.522 hitter, produced elite rates in 2025 despite an elbow issue that limited him to 69 games.
• Clubs have raised defensive questions that point to first base or DH usage, and any deal will also include a graduated posting fee owed to Yomiuri.