TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have struck a significant deal to bolster their lineup, agreeing to terms with Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto on a four-year free agent contract worth $60 million, sources told ESPN.
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the agreement includes a $5 million signing bonus, with Okamoto earning a $7 million salary in the 2025 season and $16 million in each of the following three years. The Associated Press confirmed the financial details, noting that the deal positions Okamoto as a key addition to the Blue Jays' infield as they aim to rebound from a disappointing 2024 campaign.
Okamoto, a 29-year-old standout from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, brings an impressive resume to Major League Baseball. Since debuting with the Yomiuri Giants in 2015, he has slugged a league-leading 248 home runs, edging out Munetaka Murakami by one. Murakami, who signed with the Chicago White Sox in December, had been a comparable high-profile import, but Okamoto's consistent production has made him a sought-after option.
Entering the 2025 season, Okamoto had established himself as a power threat, hitting 27 or more home runs in every year since 2018. However, an elbow injury sustained in a collision at first base sidelined him for roughly half of the 2025 campaign, limiting him to just 15 homers. Despite the setback, his batting average surged to .327 that year, up from .280 in 2024, while his strikeout rate plummeted to 11%, according to league statistics.
Sources described Okamoto's skill set as one emphasizing reliability over raw explosiveness. "Okamoto's skills are concentrated more in the frequency with which he gets to his power -- regularly lifting and pulling the ball in games -- rather than as a hitter with massive power," ESPN's Kiley McDaniel wrote in analysis of the deal. Though he lacks the peak home run totals or elite exit velocities of younger stars like Murakami, Okamoto offers a higher floor, with plus raw power when benchmarked against big-league hitters.
Defensively, Okamoto has primarily manned third base during his time in Japan, but his versatility shines through with 474 career games at first base. Scouts view him as an eventual primary first baseman in MLB, a transition that should be smoother given his experience. This flexibility made him an appealing target for teams seeking cost-effective alternatives to free agents like Pete Alonso, whose market has drawn higher bids elsewhere.
The Blue Jays, coming off a season where they finished last in the American League East with a 67-95 record, have been aggressive in reshaping their roster. General Manager Ross Atkins has prioritized adding right-handed power, and Okamoto fits that mold perfectly. "The combination of Okamoto's long track record and wide base of skills made him attractive to a number of teams," sources indicated, highlighting interest from multiple clubs before Toronto sealed the agreement.
Under the posting system between Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, the Blue Jays will owe the Yomiuri Giants a fee of $10,875,000. This amount is calculated as 20% of the first $25 million of the contract, 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% on every dollar above $50 million, per Associated Press reporting. All such international deals must be finalized by 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, adding a layer of urgency to the paperwork process.
Okamoto's 11-season tenure in NPB has been marked by excellence, including a .277 career batting average, 248 home runs, and 717 RBIs. A six-time All-Star, he has been a cornerstone for the Giants, contributing to multiple Japan Series appearances. His international pedigree further elevates his profile; in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Okamoto delivered a memorable performance for Team Japan, hitting the go-ahead home run in the gold medal game against the United States.
"He had seven RBIs in 18 at-bats during the WBC," the Associated Press noted, underscoring his clutch ability on the global stage. That tournament run, which saw Japan defeat the U.S. 3-2 in the final, remains a highlight of Okamoto's career and a point of excitement for Blue Jays fans hoping he can replicate such heroics in Toronto.
The signing comes amid a broader wave of Japanese talent crossing over to MLB. Following Murakami's move to the White Sox and earlier successes like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Okamoto represents the next chapter in this trend. At 29, he is more than three years older than Murakami, but his durability and plate discipline — evidenced by strikeout rates dropping to 16% in 2024 and 11% in 2025 — suggest he could provide steady value through his prime years.
For the Blue Jays, who parted ways with several veterans last offseason and struggled offensively in 2024 with a team OPS of .683 (27th in MLB), Okamoto's arrival could stabilize the corner infield. Current third baseman Ernie Clement and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have been fixtures, but adding Okamoto's bat might allow for lineup experimentation, potentially shifting Guerrero to other roles or enhancing protection in the order.
Analysts have praised the deal's value, positioning it as a prudent investment compared to domestic free agents. While Okamoto's 2025 homer total dipped due to injury, his overall profile — including a career OPS above .900 in NPB — indicates potential for 25-30 home runs per season in the majors, assuming a smooth adjustment to the pitcher's mound and larger fields.
As the deadline approaches, Blue Jays officials have remained tight-lipped, but sources close to the team expressed optimism about the medicals and final approvals. The posting fee, while substantial, is a worthwhile expense for a player who could anchor the lineup for years. Toronto's front office, buoyed by ownership's commitment to contention, views this as a foundational move in their rebuild.
Looking ahead, Okamoto's integration into the Blue Jays' spring training in Dunedin, Florida, will be closely watched. If the deal clears all hurdles by Sunday's cutoff, he could make his MLB debut in late March 2025 at Rogers Centre, bringing a new dimension to a franchise hungry for playoff relevance. For now, the agreement stands as a testament to the growing bridge between NPB and MLB, with Okamoto poised to join the ranks of successful imports.