MLB Network reacts to Toronto Blue Jays acquisition of Kazuma Okamoto and Bo Bichette market
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MLB Network panel discusses Kazuma Okamoto signing, and where things stand with Bo Bichette and the Toronto Blue Jays.
When the Blue Jays acquired free agent Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto they signed a player with a similar hitting profile to Bo Bichette.
MLB Network's Harold Reynolds and Matt Vasgersian discussed the acquisition of Kazuma Okamoto, and free agent Bo Bichette's market.
Vasgersian raises the question on whether or not the acquisition of Okamoto makes it easier, or more difficult for the Blue Jays to reunite with free agent Bo Bichette.
MLB Network fascinated with Blue Jays acquisition of Okamoto for a number of reasons
"This signing gives the Blue Jays protection. There is still the unknown, regardless of how great the Japanese player may end up being or not. We don't know how he is going to play over here. So you can look over the numbers in the WBC and all that, but we don't know there has been a lot of hit and miss with a lot of these guys. So you cant sit there and say alright we've replaced Bo. You know what Bo is bringing " - Harold Reynolds
Reynolds went on even further about his reservations about Okamoto, and his thoughts on Bichette's hitting prowess.
"I still have my reservations with Okamoto, I get it, but Bo Bichette is just too good a hitter. Proven what he is going to do, and I think by him playing second base in the World Series, and playing as good as he did, if Bo comes back he will be at second base. In my mind it's about the bat with everybody. It doesn't matter he he plays short, it doesn't matter if he plays second, there is not many hitters like him. That's a generational talent, that's power, that's average, and that's putting the ball in play. You can say what you want about everybody else, but this guy is one of the best hitters in the game." - Harold Reynolds
Adding Okamoto to the infield, at least on paper, would fill the hole left on the infield by Bo Bichette's departure in free agency.
With Okamoto at third, Ernie Clement can move to second base while Andres Gimenez slides to shortstop.
However, there's been no indication that the Blue Jays are done adding.
A reunion with Bichette could certainly still be possible (thereby pushing Clement into a utility role), and the team has also been known to be very involved in the market for the offseason's top free agent, outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Will they be able to follow up Okamoto's signing with an even bigger bat to boost the lineup?
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 5 | 180 ANSWERS MLB Network reacts to Toronto Blue Jays acquisition of Kazuma Okamoto and Bo Bichette market Do you agree with MLB Network's opinion on the Blue Jays acquisition of Kazuma Okamoto? | ||
| Yes | 143 | 79.4 % |
| No | 37 | 20.6 % |
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