Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto has signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced, continuing an aggressive offseason as the team reloads for another push toward World Series contention. The deal includes a $5 million signing bonus, a $7 million salary in the first year, and $16 million in each of the final three seasons, with no opt-outs.
Okamoto, 29, spent 11 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants and established himself as one of Nippon Professional Baseball’s most consistent and well-rounded power hitters. Since debuting in 2015, he has hit a league-best 248 home runs, one more than Munetaka Murakami, who signed with the Chicago White Sox in December. Okamoto eclipsed the 30-homer mark every season from 2018 through 2023, followed by a 27-homer campaign in 2024.
In 2025, Okamoto was limited to 69 games after suffering a left elbow injury in a collision at first base, but he remained highly productive when healthy. He hit .327 with a .416 on-base percentage, .598 slugging percentage, 1.014 OPS, 15 home runs and 49 RBIs, while significantly improving his performance against high velocity pitching. His strikeout rate also dropped sharply, falling to 11% last season after sitting at 16 percent the year prior.
While Okamoto does not match Murakami’s peak power numbers or elite exit velocities, evaluators view him as a higher-floor offensive player due to his plate discipline and consistency. His batting average climbed to .280 in 2024 and .327 in 2025 despite reduced home run totals, reinforcing his profile as a dependable middle-of-the-order bat.
Defensively, Okamoto is expected to see significant time at third base for Toronto, though he brings versatility with extensive experience at first base, where he has played 474 games in his career. A six-time NPB All-Star, Okamoto owns a .277 career batting average with 248 home runs and 717 RBIs and also starred for Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, hitting the go-ahead home run in the gold medal game against the United States.
