One of Japan’s best sluggers to be posted for MLB teams originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It was announced this morning that one of the top sluggers in NPB, Kazuma Okamoto, will be posted for MLB clubs to sign this winter.
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Okamoto is just 29, and already has 11 seasons of professional baseball on his resume.
Since 2018, he has had six seasons of 30+ home runs for the Yomiuri Giants. He has large power upside, but also faces question marks on how well he’ll be able to hit higher velocity. It’s also unclear if MLB teams would want him to play first base or third. He and fellow NPB slugger Munetaka Murakami have a chance to shake up the infield market this winter.
Which MLB teams could be in play for Kazuma Okamoto?
Starting with the obvious, are likely going to be one of the teams in play for Kazuma Okamoto. While they don’t necessarily need a first or third baseman, Los Angeles has become the hub for Japanese players in recent seasons.
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are also likely suitors. They have already been linked to Munetaka Murakami, and if they lose Pete Alonso in free agency, that will be a lot of production to make up. Okamoto could slot in as the Mets’ everyday corner infield players.
Other teams that are often big spenders and will be apart of the sweepstakes include the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, and Detroit Tigers. The Tigers have a need on the left side of the infield.
The Giants have been linked to high-dollar Japanese stars in previous offseasons, and are expected to spend in free agency this winter. And the New York Yankees also have a potential void at both of their hot corner positions, depending on what they do with players like Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger.
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