TOKYO, JAPAN – MARCH 16: Kazuma Okamoto #25 of the Yomiuri Giants hits a two-run double in the fifth inning during the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome on Sunday, March 16, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Three very credible Japanese players should be attracting a huge amount of attention by Major League Baseball organizations.
The three players posted by their respective Nippon Professional Baseball clubs in Japan are available to be signed as free agents.
The three Japanese players include:
Tatsuya Imai-Right Handed Pitcher-Age 27-posted by Seibu Lions
Munetaka Murakami-Corner Infielder-Age 25-posted by Yakult Swallows
Kazuma Okamoto-Corner Infielder-Age 29-posted by Yomiuri Giants
To this old scout, Okamoto may elicit the most competitive bidding among the three highly regarded Japanese free agents.
Okamoto is the oldest of the group, and he may fetch the shortest contract length, and possibly the lowest average annual contract value among the trio.
Given his age, it is likely teams other than the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have a history of attracting high impact Japanese free agents, may enter the bidding for Okamoto.
FILE – Yomiuri Giants’ Kazuma Okamoto flies out in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo, Japan, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File)
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
About Kazuma Okamoto:
A right-handed hitter, Kazuma Okamoto plays third base, first base, and even some outfield upon occasion.
He is, however, primarily a corner infielder, with a history of playing almost equal time at third and first bases.
At 6-0, 212 pounds, Okamoto is of average height, and maybe a bit small to play first base.
That said, there are teams that could certainly be interested in Okamoto as either a starting third, or first baseman.
Okamoto’s nickname is “The Young General.”
According to Baseball Reference, Okamoto has played parts of 11 seasons in Japanese professional baseball. He will come stateside with a career .274 batting average, with 277 home runs, and 872 RBIs in 5,709 plate appearances.
Okamoto has compiled a .355 on-base percentage, and a .501 slugging percentage.
Okamoto has accepted 580 walks, and has struck out 1.042 times.
This past season, Baseball Reference indicates Okamoto hit .322/.411/.581/.992, with 23 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, and 51 RBIs in 314 plate appearances.
The previous season, Okamoto hit 27 homers, and drove in 83 runs in 611 plate appearances.
An elbow injury on May 6 curtailed his 2025 season. Those injuries resulted in the only time Okamoto had not logged a .250 batting average or better, 27+ home runs, 80+ RBIs , and an On-Base Percentage of at least .805 in the past seven seasons.
In 2023, in his age 27 season, Okamoto hit 41 home runs, and drove in 93.
Kazuma Okamoto of Japan celebrates with Roki Sasaki of Japan after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of the quarterfinal game between Italy and Japan at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Toru Hanai)
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Home Run Machine:
Here are his home run totals since 2018, when he played at age 22:
2018= 33
2019- 31
2020= 31
2021= 39
2022= 30
2023= 41
2024= 27
2025= 23
Yes, there was been a decline in his home run total in 2024, when he did not have an elbow injury. However, those 27 home runs would be very welcome by a number of MLB teams seeking power. Especially power from a right-handed hitter.
Defensively, Okamoto has shown to be a better first baseman, than third baseman.
He had 3,875 chances at first base. He made 17 errors.
He had 1,965 chances at thirdtbasse. He made 65 errors.
Potential Suitors for Okamoto:
MLB has a posting agreement with Nippon Professional Baseball.
The posting fee is 20% of the first $25M of the player’s Major League Baseball contract, including any earned bonuses and options.
The percentage drops to 17% of the next $25M, and 15% of nay earned bonuses, salary escalators or exceeded options.
It is unknown what type of contract Okamato may receive from among his bidders.
Given his age, it is possible Okamoto could earn a four-year contract at an annual value of $14M.That type of $56M total value could open the door to teams not normally in the hunt for free agents.
Here are the teams this old scout believes could be interested in signing Okomoto:
Philadelphia Phillies-
The Phillies would be an ideal landing spot if the team loses Kyle Schwarber. They could possibly move Bryce Harper back to the outfield.
Boston Red Sox-
Okamoto may be an ideal fit a third base if the Red Sox aren’t able to sign Alex Bregman long-term.
Arizona Diamondbacks-
He solves a clear need at first base at a fairly reasonable annual rate.
Pittsburgh Pirates-
This could raise some eyebrows. The Pirates seem like the want to spend on quality players. Okamoto upgrades their entire team.
New York Mets-
If Pete Alonso signs elsewhere, this is an ideal spot for Okamoto to take over first base.
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 25: the New York Mets logo shown on a ball bag during batting practice prior to a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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Prediction:
New York Mets
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/berniepleskoff/2025/12/05/mets-could-win-bidding-war-for-japanese-infielder-kazuma-okamoto/
