The Toronto Blue Jays have officially signed Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract, bolstering their infield with a proven power hitter. The 29-year-old, a six-time All-Star in Japan, joins Toronto after a standout season with the Yomiuri Giants. To accommodate the addition, the team designated reliever Paxton Schultz for assignment.
Toronto's active offseason continued on January 4, 2026, when the Blue Jays announced the signing of Kazuma Okamoto, a versatile infielder from Japan's Yomiuri Giants. The deal, reported earlier by MLB.com sources as a four-year, $60 million agreement, adds significant offensive firepower to a team that has already secured starter Dylan Cease, convinced Shane Bieber to opt into his 2026 contract, and added Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers.
Okamoto, turning 29, impressed in 2025 with a .327 batting average, 15 home runs, and 49 RBIs across 69 games for the Central League club. His season was interrupted by a left elbow injury sustained on May 6 during a collision at first base against the Hanshin Tigers' Takumu Nakano, sidelining him until August 16. Over 11 seasons in Japan, Okamoto has maintained a .277 average with 248 home runs and 717 RBIs, earning six All-Star selections and leading the Central League in home runs in 2020, 2021, and 2023. He gained international prominence with a crucial homer off Colorado's Kyle Freeland in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final, helping Japan defeat the United States 3-2.
Primarily a third baseman, Okamoto offers flexibility at first base and in the outfield, fitting Toronto's needs amid pursuits of other free agents like Bo Bichette. The signing underscores the Blue Jays' emergence as an attractive destination, following past misses on stars like Shohei Ohtani.
To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, Toronto designated 27-year-old right-hander Paxton Schultz for assignment. Schultz debuted in 2025 with a 4.38 ERA over 13 appearances and 24.2 innings, notably tying an MLB record with eight strikeouts in his first game against the Seattle Mariners on April 20. He was acquired in a 2021 trade involving Derek Fisher from the Milwaukee Brewers.
