Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider couldn’t help but reference Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani when discussing the arrival of his team’s newest signing from Japan.
With infielder Kazuma Okamoto expected at the Jays’ facility on Friday, Schneider was asked if the slugger’s plane had landed in Canada yet, as reported by Keegan Matheson, Blue Jays reporter for MLB.com.
Oct 23, 2025; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider during a press conference on media day before game one of the World Series at Rogers Centre.
Schneider would only confirm that Okamoto was expected to be in the facility that afternoon, and he had a good reason to hold back from making absolute proclamations.
“All I know is that he’s expected to be here in the building at 4:00,” he said. “Last time I tracked a flight, it wasn’t very good for me.”
John Schneider was asked if Kazuma Okamoto has landed yet, because he’s expected at the #BlueJays’ complex today:
“All I know is that he’s expected to be here in the building at 4:00. Last time I tracked a flight, it wasn’t very good for me.”
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) February 13, 2026
The actual occupants of the plane were Robert Herjavec of “Shark Tank” and his children, though many believed that it was actually Ohtani coming to sign with the Blue Jays.
Despite some evidence to the contrary, the wishful thinking of Jays fans seemed to be the prevailing narrative, apparently even attracting Schneider’s attention.
Blue Jays Have Landed This Japanese Star
This time, however, things appear more certain.
Jan 6, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays Kazuma Okamoto speaks to the media during the press conference at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Okamoto has already signed his four-year contract, a $60 million deal that includes a $5 million signing bonus.
With Bo Bichette off to the New York Mets, the Jays are expecting Okamoto to contribute at the plate.
“One of the top Japanese free agents available this offseason, along with Tatsuya Imai and Munetaka Murakami, the 29-year-old Okamoto has long starred for the Yomiuri Giants and brings an immediate offensive upgrade to the Blue Jays’ lineup,” Matheson wrote on MLB.com.
Okamoto has hit 248 home runs in his 11 Nippon Professional Baseball seasons and knocked in 717 runs.
Last year, he hit .327 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs over 69 games in an injury-shortened season.
He was sidelined for more than three months with a left elbow injury.
LA Baseball Report
Get the app for faster news
GET ×