{"id":386456,"date":"2026-01-03T22:32:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T22:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/386456\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T22:32:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T22:32:09","slug":"mlb-news-blue-jays-reportedly-sign-japanese-star-kazuma-okamoto-to-big-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/386456\/","title":{"rendered":"MLB news: Blue Jays reportedly sign Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto to big contract"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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The Toronto Blue Jays<\/a>, who were two outs away from winning the World Series, continue to make big moves in free agency as they look to bolster their squad.<\/p>\n

The Blue Jays agreed to a contract with Japanese star infielder Kazuma Okamoto, according to multiple reports. The contract is four-year, $60 million, according to the New York Post.<\/a><\/p>\n

Okamoto starred in the Nippon Professional Baseball\u2019s most storied franchise, the Yomiuri Giants, which is Japan\u2019s equivalent of the New York Yankees.<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"Kazuma <\/p>\n

Yomiuri Giants first baseman Kazuma Okamoto (25) fields a ground ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at Tokyo Dome in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan, on March 15, 2025. (Darren Yamashita\/Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

The 29-year-old was a six-time All-Star in Japan, and starred both at the plate and in the field. He led the NPB Central League in home runs in 2020, 2021 and 2023.<\/p>\n

Starting in 2018, Okamoto had a run of six consecutive seasons with 30 or more home runs. His career high in home runs came in 2023, when he hit 41.<\/p>\n

Okamoto can play first and third base, capably winning two Gold Gloves at third and one at first base.<\/p>\n

EX-MLB ALL-STAR LENNY DYKSTRA FACES DRUG CHARGES FOLLOWING NEW YEAR’S DAY TRAFFIC STOP IN PENNSYLVANIA<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Kazuma <\/p>\n

Yomiuri Giants first baseman Kazuma Okamoto (25) hits a single against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning at Tokyo Dome in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan, on March 16, 2025. (Darren Yamashita\/Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

In 2025, Okamoto was limited to just 69 games after sustaining a left-elbow injury<\/a> in a collision with a batter running down the line while playing first. However, in limited action, Okamoto was outstanding, hitting .327 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI, good for a 1.014 OPS.<\/p>\n

In 11 seasons in the NPB, Okamoto had a .277 batting average with 248 home runs and 717 RBI.<\/p>\n

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\"Kazuma <\/p>\n

Kazuma Okamoto (25) of Team Japan hits a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning during the World Baseball Classic championship game at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on March 21, 2023. (Gene Wang\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Okamoto has already had success in the United States, as he hit a home run off Kyle Freeland to help Japan beat the United States in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final.<\/p>\n

The Blue Jays had already signed starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract, KBO MVP Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract, and reliever Tyler Rogers to a three-year, $37 million contract. The Blue Jays hope their reported addition of Okamoto, along with all their other acquisitions, help put them get back to the World Series.<\/p>\n

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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n