"The Toronto Blue Jays have been lauded throughout this offseason with the impressive work that they have done so far in bolstering the team ahead of the 2026 MLB season. But many may have missed some of the subtle attributes of the players that the Blue Jays have added that has made those acquisitions even more significant than meets the eye."
"With Okamoto having proven to be a consistent contact hitter during his career in Japan, the chances of such a player having success in North America is way higher than ones that just hit for power with a ton of strikeouts. That is because he would know how to make adjustments to maximize hitting effectiveness, rather than to go for the home run each time up."
"Moreover, Okamoto has seen time both in the infield and outfield playing in Nippon Professional Baseball. With the ability to hit above .270 while averaging 30+ home runs and 90+ RBIs per season, he can essentially be a "Kyle Tucker-lite" as an outfielder and a "Bo Bichette-lite" as an infielder, but at a way lower cost at just $60 million over four years."
Ross Atkins executed a busy offseason that added cost-effective, versatile players to bolster Toronto's roster for 2026. The signing of Kazuma Okamoto provides a contact-oriented bat whose proven ability to adjust increases odds of North American success compared with pure power hitters who strike out often. Okamoto offers defensive flexibility after time in both the infield and outfield in Nippon Professional Baseball. His track record of hitting above .270 with roughly 30+ home runs and 90+ RBIs per season delivers middle-of-the-order production at a relatively modest $60 million over four years, offering contingency depth if other targets are missed.
Read at Jays Journal
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