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23h ago

Reports: Blue Jays Land Japan Slugger Kazuma Okamoto on Four-Year, $60 Million Deal

The reported pact would place the 29-year-old power bat at third base, reshaping Toronto’s remaining free-agent calculus.

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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’s Jeff Passan reports the Blue Jays have an agreement with Kazuma Okamoto, with multiple outlets including Jon Heyman reporting terms at four years and $60 million.
  • The deal was reached before his Jan. 4 posting deadline, and Toronto will owe a posting fee to the Yomiuri Giants under MLB–NPB transfer rules.
  • Okamoto is a six-time NPB All-Star with 277 career home runs and a run of multiple 30-homer seasons; despite an elbow injury in 2025, he hit .327/.416/.598 with 15 homers in 69 games.
  • He is expected to be used primarily at third base next to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first, though he has experience at first and limited time in the outfield.
  • The move continues Toronto’s big-spending winter after adding pitchers Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers, and reports indicate it could affect pursuits of Bo Bichette or Kyle Tucker.