Hours before Japanese free agent Kazuma Okamoto's posting window was set to close, the Toronto Blue Jays swooped in. They signed the NPB veteran, a longtime Yomiuri Giant, to a four-year, $60 million deal, improving their infield and getting a jolt of power in the process.
Okamoto, 29, is a corner infielder the Boston Red Sox also considered signing this offseason. After yet another season-defining injury to Triston Casas and Alex Bregman's contract opt-out, Boston's lineup had uncertainties at both corners. Okamoto could've helped address defensive woes and offensive inconsistency in both positions, but signing players from NPB is risky, as evidenced by Masataka Yoshida's rocky MLB tenure so far.
The Blue Jays already have a full-time first baseman in Vladimir Guerrero Jr., so Okamoto will get most of his playing time at third base, according to Cody Stavenhagen and Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. This could be excellent news for the Red Sox.
Toronto has also been a top suitor for Bregman, among the most threatening on the market after its blockbuster signing of Dylan Cease. So far, the Blue Jays have gone all-in on improvements after their brutal defeat in the 2025 World Series at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers — not only would signing Bregman make them better on both sides of the ball, it'd take a top target and ideal fit away from the Sox.
Conflicting reports emerge about Blue Jays' presence in Alex Bregman market after Kazuma Okamoto signing, but they can't be an excuse for the Red Sox
But Boston isn't out of the woods yet. MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Toronto hopes to use Okamoto as a super utility player and it remains "fully engaged" in negotiations with Bregman and Bo Bichette.
Regardless of which report is true, or if the Jays' interest in signing another infielder actually rests somewhere in the middle of the two, the Red Sox must remain focused on bringing Bregman back. After adding Willson Contreras, Boston's offense is similar to, if not slightly worse than its 2025 lineup. Bregman would bring it clearly above last year's ceiling — despite posting a down second half last year, he's still a consistent righty bat with some pop and a history of excellent numbers at Fenway Park.
Bregman is the best all-around infielder still available on the free agent market and Boston needs the boost he would bring on both sides of the ball. The Red Sox should hope their richest division rival is out of the market for his services, but even if it isn't, it won't be an excuse if they miss out on a reunion.