Padres free agent update is huge news on Kazuma Okamoto amid frontrunner rumor originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The San Diego Padres have made a few quality moves so far this offseason, and another could be on its way this winter.
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While a few players are floating in trade rumors, the next offseason move for the Padres and A.J. Preller might be the signing of an NPB All-Star.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Padres are not just interested in Japanese free agent Kazuma Okamoto; they’re reportedly in contention to be the frontrunner for the slugging infielder this winter.
PAdres emerge as possible frontrunner for Okamoto
“Kazuma Okamoto’s posting window expires tomorrow afternoon, so it’s likely that he will agree to a deal today,” Feinsand reports. “Padres could be the frontrunner.”
Not only are the Padres emerging as a possible frontrunner, but the signing could come as early as today, January 3rd, 2026.
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This would be a high-quality addition for the Padres, and he could take over at first base for San Diego, rounding out their infield for the2026 MLB season.
Okamoto could also play third base, which is where the Pittsburgh Pirates, who’ve been linked to him a lot this winter, would likely play him at.
But the Pirates, according to this report from Feinsand, are unlikely to sign the Japanese star infielder. He’s likely to sign elsewhere, and the Padres are one of the top landing spots left.
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While Feinsand doesn’t outright say the Padres are the favorites, and instead implies the Padres “could” be the frontrunner, it’s still a very positive update for Padres fans.
Okamoto will make a decision soon, and the Padres are, at the very worst, one of the top landing spots left if the Pirates are indeed out, as Feinsand’s report indicates.
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