Among the "Big Three" Japanese free agents this offseason — Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto, and Tatsuya Imai — most would figure that the Boston Red Sox would be prioritizing Imai, especially given their affinity for quality starting pitchers.
However, following the additions of Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo via trade, those priorities may be shifting, at least slightly. The team's need for a power hitter in the middle of the order still looms large as the Winter Meetings roll on, especially if Alex Bregman departs for greener pastures elsewhere in the league.
Thus, it should be no surprise to learn that the Red Sox are pushing hard for Okamoto, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The MLB insider cites them as one of three teams that have "big interest" in the Japanese slugger.
One of those other three teams is the Pittsburgh Pirates, who, bless their souls, are pretending like they care about spending money this winter. They're probably not a huge competitor for Okamoto's services, at least if the 29-year-old star cares at all about winning.
But the third team among that list is proving to be a real thorn in the Red Sox's side: the Toronto Blue Jays.
Red Sox, Blue Jays could get involved in bidding war for Kazuma Okamoto
The Red Sox's interest in Okamoto hardly requires an explanation. He's played a lot of third base in his career and is projected to be a big-league-caliber first baseman on defense, two positions the team needs help at this offseason.
Though an elbow injury limited to just 69 games in 2025, Okamoto still hit .327/.416/.598 with 15 home runs and a 210 wRC+. He's a truly gifted slugger — he averaged 33.1 home runs per year from 2018-24. Combine that with an elite plate approach (he ran equal 11.3% walk and strikeout rates in 2025), and you have the makings of a surefire MLB star.
Of course, there's no guaranteeing that the corner infielder will actually live up to the hype or his potential contract, but it's clear that he'd be a perfect fit for one of the Red Sox's lineup holes.
Contrast that with the Blue Jays, who are still trying to re-sign Bo Bichette and trade for Ketel Marte. They already have highly-paid infielders Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andrés Giménez on the roster, as well as postseason hero Ernie Clement. Okamoto probably doesn't have a place in their everyday lineup, especially if George Springer continues to clog up the designated hitter spot.
This really shouldn't be a contest. The Blue Jays already gave Dylan Cease $200 million and are likely to try and give Bichette a similar deal. Do they really have the capital to hand out $75+ million to Okamoto, too?
Hopefully Toronto bows out of his market quickly, paving the way for the Red Sox to scoop up Okamoto and resolve their first base problems.