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THE Toronto Blue Jayswho were two outs away from winning the World Series, continue to make big strides in free agency as they look to strengthen their team.
The Blue Jays have agreed to a contract with Japanese star player Kazuma Okamoto, according to multiple reports. The contract is worth $60 million over four years, according to the New York Post.
Okamoto played in Nippon Professional Baseball’s most famous franchise, the Yomiuri Giants, which is the Japanese equivalent of New York Yankees.
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Yomiuri Giants first baseman Kazuma Okamoto (25) throws a ground ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at the Tokyo Dome in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan, March 15, 2025. (Darren Yamashita/Imagn Images)
The 29-year-old was a six-time All-Star in Japan and shined both at the plate and in the field. He led the NPB Central League in home runs in 2020, 2021 and 2023.
As of 2018, Okamoto has had six straight seasons with 30 or more home runs. His career high in home runs came in 2023, when he hit 41.
Okamoto can play first and third base, capably winning two Gold Gloves at third and one at first base.
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, March 16, 2025. (Darren Yamashita/Imagn Images)
In 2025, Okamoto was limited to just 69 games after suffering a left elbow injury in a collision with a batter running down the line while playing first. However, in limited action, Okamoto was outstanding, hitting .327 with 15 homers and 49 RBIs, good for a 1.014 OPS.
In 11 seasons in the NPB, Okamoto had a 2.77 batting average with 248 home runs and 717 RBIs.
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Kazuma Okamoto (25) of Team Japan hits a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning during the championship game of the World Baseball Classic at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida on March 21, 2023. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)
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.
The Blue Jays had already signed starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a $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 the addition of Okamoto, along with all of their other acquisitions, will help them get back to the World Series.
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