TORONTO — Before he moved from Japan to the big leagues, Kazuma Okamoto put the logos of all 30 MLB teams in front of his daughter and asked which one she liked most.<\/p>\n
Her choice, just like his, was the Toronto Blue Jays.<\/p>\n
The defending AL champion Blue Jays introduced their newest signing at a press conference Tuesday, two days after finalizing a four-year, $60 million contract<\/a> with the 29-year-old corner infielder.<\/p>\n \u201cThe acquisition of Kazuma Okamoto is another significant step for this organization,\u201d Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said. \u201cWe definitely got better today.\u201d<\/p>\n After coming within two outs of their first World Series title<\/a> since 1993, the Blue Jays have made significant additions this offseason. Before adding Okamoto, Toronto signed three pitchers, starting with a $210 million, seven-year contract<\/a> for right-hander Dylan Cease. The Blue Jays also signed right-hander Cody Ponce to a $30 million, three-year contract<\/a> and reached a $37 million, three-year deal<\/a> with reliever Tyler Rogers. <\/p>\n Okamoto spoke mostly in Japanese Tuesday but opened with a few lines in English.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you very much for this opportunity,\u201d he said. \u201cI am very happy to join the Blue Jays. I will work hard every day and do my best for the team. Thank you for your support. Nice to meet you. Go Blue Jays.\u201d<\/p>\n Okamoto hit .327 with 15 homers and 49 RBIs in 69 games last year for the Central League\u2019s Yomiuri Giants. He injured his left elbow while trying to catch a throw at first base on May 6 when he collided with the Hanshin Tigers\u2019 Takumu Nakano, an injury that sidelined Okamoto until Aug. 16.<\/p>\n Okamoto had a .277 average with 248 homers and 717 RBIs in 11 Japanese big league seasons. The six-time All-Star led the Central League in home runs in 2020, 2021 and 2023.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been exciting to watch him over the years,\u201d Atkins said. \u201cHe\u2019s had an incredible career thus far. The impact on both sides of the ball, the offensive abilities (are) as dynamic as it comes. It fits us very well.\u201d<\/p>\n Atkins didn\u2019t commit to a defensive position for Okamoto, saying the Blue Jays value his versatility to play both corner spots and the outfield.<\/p>\n \u201cHe could impact our organization from a defensive standpoint in several ways,\u201d Atkins said. \u201cWe\u2019ll continue to have that dialogue with him.\u201d<\/p>\n Atkins didn\u2019t rule out further moves but said there\u2019d be roster implications with any new additions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do feel good about our team,\u201d he said. \u201cThe one thing that I would add is additions at this point will start to cut away at playing time from players that we feel are very good major league pieces, so we have to factor that in.\u201d<\/p>\n Among the remaining free agents is two-time All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette, who hit .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs for the Blue Jays in 2025. Bichette also homered off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 of the World Series<\/a>.<\/p>\n