Toronto Blue Jays sign 6X NPB All-star slugger Kazuma Okamoto
Photo credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Six-time NPB All-star slugger Kazuma Okamoto is heading to the Toronto Blue Jays.
According to a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan, Kazuma Okamoto and the Blue Jays are in agreement on a contract.
BREAKING: Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a free agent contract, sources tell ESPN.
The slugger has recorded 248 home runs over 11 seasons for the Yomiuri Giants.
He has reached the 30-homer mark in six straight seasons (2018-23) and has a career high with 41 in 2023.
Kazuma Okamoto is a Toronto Blue Jay.
The 29-year-old valiantly anchored the heart of the Yomiuri Giants order since 2018 with an .882 OPS and 248 HR. He led NPB with a 212 OPS+ while being top 10 in K% and top 3 in PullAIR% in 2025 (min. 290 PA).
The 29-year-old valiantly anchored the heart of the Yomiuri Giants order since 2018 with an .882 OPS and 248 HR. He led NPB with a 212 OPS+ while being top 10 in K% and top 3 in PullAIR% in 2025 (min. 290 PA).
The right-handed slugger is also a six-time NPB All-Star.
Blue Jays, 1B/3B Kazuma Okamoto reportedly agree to deal, per multiple reports
Okamoto will provide power and stability to the Blue Jays lineup
After hitting 27 homers in 2024, an elbow injury limited Okamoto to just 77 games this past season, where he went deep 15 times.
American baseball fans first got a glimpse of Okamoto's power during the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game, when he homered for Japan off team USA's Kyle Freeland in the bottom of the fourth inning. Japan went on to win 3-2.
That ball is GONE! Kazuma Okamoto with a solo homer and Japan extends their lead over USA!
Despite making the jump to the MLB at an older age, the infielder's lethal bat and plate discipline should give him a strong chance to make an immediate impact on his new club.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 3 | 297 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays sign 6X NPB All-star slugger Kazuma Okamoto Do you like the signing of Kazuma Okamoto by the Toronto Blue Jays? | ||
| Yes | 229 | 77.1 % |
| No | 18 | 6.1 % |
| Too early to tell | 50 | 16.8 % |
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