The Toronto Blue Jays were handed some surprising news on their pursuit of a bat on Friday.
Toronto has been linked to Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker, and Alex Bregman, and all signs pointed to the team adding at least one of them. However, Blue Jays insider Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet said that isn’t the case. Instead, he believes it’s not a lock Toronto adds a bat this offseason.
“A few people asked about Kazuma Okamoto Teams expect higher floor than Murakami. Low K% with power,” Nicholson-Smith wrote on X. “Jays have big Pac Rim presence & learn about all FA from Japan & Korea, incl. Okamoto. Toronto interest level unclear tho. No lock Jays add bat.”
After Nicholson-Smith’s post, many Blue Jays fans were outraged as Toronto has been after the top bats. But, the insider doesn’t think adding a bat is a definite, but something the Blue Jays are looking to do.
“To be clear: Jays are in contact with reps for Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman and others,” Nicholson-Smith added. “Their best-case scenario includes adding a bat and that’s absolutely in play. But in free agency, things don’t always go the way you hope, as Jays know from experience. So: not a lock.”
The hope for Toronto is that the Blue Jays add at least one impact bat, if not multiple, to further bolster their offense.
Blue Jays Linked to Okamoto
Along with Toronto’s interest in the top bats, the Blue Jays are also interested in International Free Agent Kazuma Okamoto.
Okamoto’s posting window ends on Sunday night, and The Athletic MLB insider Will Sammon reported on Friday that the team is interested in the Japanese star.
“While most clubs are interested in Okamoto for his bat and see him as a corner infielder, the ability to play left field helps his market, too,” Sammon wrote. “Speculatively, Okamoto’s versatility makes him even more of a fit for interested teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, a club containing internal infield options plus the potential to make other additions.
“In Japan, Okamoto, 29, played mostly first base and third base. But logged 15 games in the outfield as recently as 2024. Generally, teams may not see Okamoto as an everyday corner outfielder. However, one evaluator said Okamoto could be helpful in the outfield, given the right situation with limited ground to cover.”
If Okamoto can play multiple positions, it does make sense for the Blue Jays to pursue him and add some more flexibility. In Japan last season, Okamoto hit .322 with 15 home runs and 51 RBIs in just 77 games.
Toronto is Named the Favorite to Land Kyle Tucker
The Blue Jays have been after Tucker, who visited the team’s spring training facility.
With Tucker’s market being slow-moving, MLB insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com named the Blue Jays the favorite to land the star hitter.
“The consensus No. 1 free agent of the offseason has had a relatively quiet market to this point. With his visit with the Blue Jays last month at their spring facility in Florida representing the biggest news of his winter,” Feinsand wrote.
“Toronto remains the favorite to land Tucker, sources said. Though the Mets can’t be counted out, given their need for outfield help and their general willingness to spend big when they feel it’s appropriate.”
Tucker is a four-time MLB All-Star.
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