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How much is Kazuma Okamoto going to make in 2026 and beyond?
The Toronto Blue Jays kicked off their 2026 year with a bang. Following the Christmas lull, Toronto signed NPB star Kazuma Okamoto to a new contract on January 3, 2026. This is a significant transaction, not in dollar amount but in its potential impact on the Blue Jays’ other free-agent targets.
They have been linked to Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, and Bo Bichette. Some pundits predict they will sign the all-around great outfielder Tucker. Some believe Bichette will return, while others feel their chances of landing Bregman have all but vanished.
MLB insiders revealed the contract details shortly after the deal was announced. Here is everything you need to know about what Okamoto will make in 2026 and beyond.
What is Kazuma Okamoto’s MLB Salary?
Unlike Tatsuya Imai and Munetaka Murakami, Okamoto’s deal is guaranteed for four years. Imai’s three-year contract with the Houston Astros features an opt-out after every season, while Murakami’s pact with the Chicago White Sox is only two years in length.
Jon Heyman was the first to report Okamoto’s total contract value. According to the New York Post scribe, the total deal is valued at $60 million over four years. That has Okamoto set to earn an average of $15 million per year.
The structure of Okamoto’s deal is relatively simple. According to Spotrac, he is set to earn $12 million in 2026 and $16 million in 2027, 2028, and 2029. For 2026, he will receive a $5 million signing bonus, with the remaining $7 million paid as salary.
Okamoto’s deal includes no opt-outs.
What is Okamoto’s Posting Fee?
According to MLB.com, because Okamoto’s total guaranteed contract is larger than $50 million, this is how his posting fee will be calculated, “For Major League contracts with a total guaranteed value of $50,000,001 or more, the release fee will be 20 percent of the first $25 million plus 17.5 percent of next $25 million plus 15 percent of the total guaranteed value exceeding $50 million.”
Okamoto’s posting fee will be $10,875,000. Here’s how the calculations work out:
20 % of the first $25 million: $5,000,000
17.5 % of the next $25 million: $4,375,000
15 % of the final $10 million: $1,500,000
Okamoto’s old NPB club, the Yomiuri Giants, will receive this posting fee.
Okamoto’s Stats
From 2019 to 2025, Okamoto had the second-most home runs over that time. Murakami led the NPB over that time with 245 home runs, with Okamoto recording 214.
In 2025, Okamoto recorded 15 home runs, 49 RBIs, one triple, 21 doubles, and 82 hits in 69 games. He finished with a .327 batting average to go along with a .598 slugging percentage.
How Much Money Did Okamoto Make in Japan?
Not much information is available online about the NPB’s contract details. Some details are available, but they are behind paywalls.
The only information available is Okamoto’s salary for the 2021 season. According to HatenaBlog, the slugger earned the equivalent of $1,932,000 million in USD.
Okamoto’s Contract Projections
With Okamoto’s new deal signed, it’s a good time to review how different analysts’ predictions have held up.
The prediction closest to what actually occurred was from MLBTradeRumors. They predicted that Okamoto would sign a four-year, $64 million deal.
Alternatively, The Athletic predicted a $78.5 million deal over four years.
According to contract projections, Okamoto’s actual deal represents a substantial value for the Blue Jays. So, as far as Toronto is concerned, this deal is excellent news for both the team and the player.
Caleb Kerney Caleb covers the NHL for Heavy.com. He has covered professional hockey since 2022, including bylines at Dobber Prospects, The Hockey Writers, and The Hockey News. More about Caleb Kerney
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