Former Yomiuri Giants infielder Kazuma Okamoto, a six-time NPB All-Star and 2023 World Baseball Classic hero, has agreed to a $60 million, four-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, sources told The Associated Press. The deal awaits official announcement and finalization by 5 p.m. EST Sunday under MLB-NPB rules, bolstering the AL East champions after their 2025 World Series defeat.
TORONTO (AP) — Infielder Kazuma Okamoto agreed Saturday to a four-year, $60 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, two people with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The pact includes a $5 million signing bonus, $7 million salary in 2026 and $16 million annually thereafter. The individuals spoke anonymously as the deal was not yet official. The Blue Jays will pay the Giants a $10.875 million posting fee, with the 45-day negotiating window expiring Sunday.
The 29-year-old third and first baseman brings power and versatility after 11 seasons in Japan, slashing .275/.355/.501 with 248 home runs and 717 RBIs overall. He led the Central League in homers three times (2020, 2021, 2023, peaking at 41), earned two Gold Gloves at third base (2021-22), and posted six straight 30-plus homer seasons from 2018-2023. In 2025, Okamoto hit .327/.416/.598 with 15 homers and 49 RBIs in 69 games before a May 6 left elbow injury from colliding with Hanshin Tigers' Takumu Nakano at first base sidelined him until August.
Internationally, Okamoto slashed .333/.556/.722 with two homers and seven RBIs in the 2023 WBC, including a decisive shot off Kyle Freeland in Japan's 3-2 final win over the U.S. "I believe MLB is the best league in the world, and I’ve always wanted to play there," he said after being posted in November. His low strikeout rate and velocity-handling suit Toronto's lineup.
With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first, Okamoto projects primarily at third base, potentially shifting Addison Barger to the outfield and Ernie Clement to second—especially if Bo Bichette leaves. The signing reduces interest in Alex Bregman while leaving room for additions like Kyle Tucker.
This caps $337 million in new commitments for the Blue Jays, who reached Game 7 of the 2025 World Series before losing to the Dodgers. Other moves include Dylan Cease ($210M/7 years), Cody Ponce ($30M/3 years), Tyler Rogers ($37M/3 years), and Shane Bieber exercising his $16M 2026 option.
Multiple outlets, including The Japan Times, confirmed the agreement.
