"Yet another corner infielder comes off the board. This time it's Kazuma Okamoto, formerly of Bobby Dalbec's Yomiuri Giants, who reached a four-year/$60 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. I won't pretend to know how good Okamoto will be stateside - and you should be suspicious of anyone who insists they do. But this move might have some important implications for the Red Sox, as the Jays are (were?) a potential destination for both Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)"
"But even if the Okamoto acquisition puts the Jays out the of Alex Bregman market, that doesn't mean other teams couldn't enter it. Here's one scenario that posits that the Phillies could get involved with Bregman if they fail to resign catcher JT Realmuto. (Scott Lauber, Philadelphia Inquirer) One team that was also in on Okamoto was the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have been unexpectedly active this offseason."
"So with the Jays adding Okamoto on top of their recent acquisition of Dylan Cease, how is the AL East looking halfway through the offseason? (Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald) As neither Bregman nor Bichette are currently signed, neither one of them cracked this list of the 20 most important people in the Red Sox organization, which was topped by Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony. Where would you slot Bregman if he does end up coming back? (Pete Abraham, Boston Globe)"
Kazuma Okamoto signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays acquisition may remove Toronto as a potential landing spot for Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, reshaping free-agent dynamics relevant to the Red Sox. Other clubs, such as the Phillies, could still pursue Bregman, particularly if they fail to re-sign JT Realmuto. The Pittsburgh Pirates were also connected to Okamoto and appear active in trade discussions, making them plausible partners for deals involving Red Sox outfielders like Jarren Duran. Toronto also added Dylan Cease, strengthening AL East competition. Prospect Marcelo Mayer changed his jersey number to 11.
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