Blue Jays officially sign Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto to four-year, US$60M deal

Okamoto will get a $5 million signing bonus, a $7 million salary this year and $16 million in each of the following three seasons.

With five-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first, Okamoto presumably would play mostly at third. Addison Barger had 67 starts there last year, Ernie Clement 66, Will Wagner 22, Isiah Kiner-Falefa six and Buddy Kennedy one.

Barger also plays right field, and the addition of Okamoto could mean Andrés Giménez will move from second to shortstop if free agent Bo Bichette doesn’t re-sign. Clement and Davis Scheider could share time at second.

In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays designated right-handed pitcher Paxton Schultz for assignment.

— With files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 4, 2026.

The Canadian Press