Just hours before his posting window was set to close, Japanese free agent corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto found his home in MLB. Many Boston Red Sox fans and reporters saw him as a fit with the club, but he didn't land in Boston.
Okamoto has signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, first reported by MLB insider Jeff Passan of ESPN. The length and amount on his contract have not yet been reported. The longtime Yomiuri Giant is yet another major free agent signing for Toronto this winter (alongside Dylan Cease) and his home run power could be frightening for the division-rival Sox.
Okamoto has experience playing first and third base, which could've made him an ideal fit with Boston before the Willson Contreras signing — it would've made sense for the Sox to pursue him as a first baseman and then add Alex Bregman back at third. He's a quality defender at third base and excellent at first base, he's right-handed and he posted six straight seasons with over 30 homers, which would've helped address the Red Sox's power outage after the Rafael Devers trade.
Toronto has been a top player in many key free agent races this offseason, including many that the Red Sox are also in. The Jays have checked in with Bregman and inquired about a reunion with longtime shortstop Bo Bichette, arguably their best bat in 2025. Boston has also been linked to Bichette as a backup option for Bregman.
Red Sox miss out on another free agent as Kazuma Okamoto signs with Blue Jays, but it may not be the worst thing
The Okamoto signing could take the Blue Jays out of the race for both of them. Ernie Clement could become their everyday shortstop, since they may lose Bichette to another club and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is already their first baseman. But another position could be on the table for Okamoto.
Some reporters have theorized that major league teams may see Okamoto as an outfielder (subscription required). He appeared in the outfield 15 times in 2024 and 77 times in his 11-year career. The Jays already have Daulton Varsho, Nathan Lukes, Addison Barger, Anthony Santander, Davis Schneider, Myles Straw, George Springer and others in their outfield mix. But if they decide to place Okamoto there, they could still be in the Bregman or Bichette races. Then, the Red Sox will have to bank on them capping their free agent spending to have better chances of landing either of the two infielders.
Okamoto may have been a fit with Boston due to his positional versatility and consistent bat with a power stroke, but the transition from NPB to MLB isn't always smooth, as indicated by Masataka Yoshida's struggles so far. The Red Sox may not have wanted to take a risk on another free agent who may take time to find his way, but if he rakes in Toronto, their miss will sting.