Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto adds power — and raises expectations in Toronto

Japan's Kazuma Okamoto (25) runs the bases after hitting a home run in the fourth inning of the World Baseball Classic championship game on March 21, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

TORONTO — No stranger to big baseball moments, Kazuma Okamoto seems more than comfortable in the spotlight.

The Toronto Blue Jays are hoping his success in Japan will translate to the Major League Baseball game.

The American League champions agreed to terms with the slugger over the weekend on a four-year, US$60-million contract. The Blue Jays plan to formally introduce Okamoto on Tuesday at a news conference at Rogers Centre.

A six-time all-star with the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball, Okamoto provides a middle-of-the-order bat with some flexibility on the defensive end. The 29-year-old won the Japanese league’s home run crown on three occasions.

Okamoto also helped Japan win the World Baseball Classic in 2023, hitting a solo homer and scoring twice in a 3-2 victory over the United States in the championship game at Miami.

It’s the latest signing in what has been an aggressive off-season for the Blue Jays, who signed pitchers Dylan Cease (seven years, $210 million), Cody Ponce (three years, $30 million) and Tyler Rogers (three years, $37 million) in recent weeks.

The deep-pocketed Blue Jays may not be done yet. The top free agent on the market -- outfielder Kyle Tucker -- visited the team’s spring-training facility last month, and Toronto has also been linked to homegrown star Bo Bichette, who had a rebound year in 2025.

Okamoto, meanwhile, hit .327 last season with 15 homers and 49 RBIs in 69 games. The six-foot, 212-pound infielder missed over half the season with an elbow injury.

He’ll likely slot in at third base but can spell off slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base as needed and also play left field.

His addition bodes well for a team that led the major leagues in batting average (.265) and on-base percentage (.333), was third in OPS (.760), but tied for 11th in homers (191).

Okamoto made his debut with the Giants in 2015. He hit 25 homers or more in seven straight seasons between 2018-24.

Depending on whether Bichette returns, infielder Ernie Clement is a good bet to see more time at second base with Andres Gimenez remaining at shortstop after playing there in the playoffs. Backup infielders Ty France and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are now free agents.

Addison Barger, who split time with Clement at third base last season, would likely play more often in right field.

Okamoto’s signing came after the Blue Jays fell short in their pursuit of Japanese stars in recent off-seasons.

Toronto was in the mix for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani two years ago and pitcher Roki Sasaki last winter, but both signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who beat the Blue Jays in the World Series last fall.

Under MLB’s posting agreement with NPB, the Blue Jays owe the Giants a posting fee of $10.875 million.

Toronto won the East Division crown last year after a 94-win season. The Blue Jays won their first playoff game in nine years in an American League Division Series victory over the New York Yankees.

Toronto went on to beat the Seattle Mariners in the AL Championship Series before falling to the Dodgers in a dramatic seven-game Fall Classic.

Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training in just over a month. Toronto will open its pre-season schedule on Feb. 21 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Blue Jays’ regular-season opener is set for March 27 against the Athletics at Rogers Centre.

With files from The Associated Press.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press