Blue Jays sign Okamoto to 4-year, $60M deal
The Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a contract with Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto on Sunday.
The deal is for four years and $60 million. It includes a $5-million signing bonus and no opt-outs.
契約合意しました 🇯🇵🔥
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) January 4, 2026
OFFICIAL: We've signed 6x NPB All-Star INF Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year contract! pic.twitter.com/XS5yfH1WWz
Okamoto was one of the top players posted this winter after hitting .327/.416/.598 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 69 games for the Yomiuri Giants last season. He missed a chunk of the campaign with an injured elbow.
Defensively, Okamoto is most experienced at third base, but he's considered an above-average first baseman who can also play the outfield.
The right-handed hitting Okamoto slashed .277/.361/.521 with 248 homers and 717 RBIs in 11 seasons with the Giants. He struck out just 796 times in 4,494 plate appearances and will provide another contact-heavy bat to Toronto's lineup.
Projected 2026 Blue Jays lineup
| ORDER | POSITION | PLAYER | BATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DH | George Springer | R |
| 2 | CF | Daulton Varsho | L |
| 3 | 1B | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | R |
| 4 | LF | Anthony Santander | S |
| 5 | C | Alejandro Kirk | R |
| 6 | RF | Addison Barger | L |
| 7 | 3B | Kazuma Okamoto | R |
| 8 | 2B | Ernie Clement | R |
| 9 | SS | Andrés Gimenez | L |
Okamoto, a six-time NPB All-Star, rose to international stardom with an impressive performance at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he hit .333 with a 1.278 OPS. His homer against the United States in the championship game helped Japan win the tournament.
Kazuma Okamoto extends Team Japan's lead to 3-1! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/z0bjgPAFGz
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 22, 2023
The 29-year-old was also connected to the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners this offseason.
The AL-pennant winning Blue Jays continue to be busy this winter. In addition to Okamoto, they've signed starters Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, as well as reliever Tyler Rogers.