The Arizona Diamondbacks are in desperate need of infielders to replace Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez, who were both traded to the Seattle Mariners last year.
The Diamondbacks may have a solution to that problem.
According to Yahoo Sports and PHNX Sports, corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto is reportedly meeting with Arizona, among other teams.
The star Nippon Professional Baseball third baseman has traveled to the United States for in-person meetings with multiple teams, per Yahoo Japan and the Yakyu Cosmopolitan.
Okamoto’s market is heating up as the former Yomiuri Giants star’s posting window is nearing a close. Per MLB Trade Rumors, his window ends on Jan. 4, making Sunday the final day he can sign with an MLB team.
What Would Okamoto Bring to the Arizona Diamondbacks?
Okamoto, entering his age-30 season, is the most coveted Japanese slugger after Munetaka Murakami in this year’s free agency class.
Like Murakami, Okamoto brings elite raw power, hitting 248 home runs across 1074 NPB games, with an .882 OPS. Since 2018, he has had six 30-homer seasons. He has only hit fewer than 30 home runs in two of his 11 professional seasons in Japan.
In 2025, playing just 69 games due to an elbow injury, Okamoto hit 15 home runs with a .992 OPS.
However, like Murakami, Okamoto also raises concerns with his defense. He is considered to be a better defender at third base than Murakami. However, Okamoto might spend more time at first base or as the designated hitter due to these defensive concerns.
Murakami, who signed with the Chicago White Sox this offseason, is expected to be a first baseman as well.
While the swing-and-miss profile that contributed to Murakami’s weak market is less prevalent in Okamoto’s game, he is four years older than Murakami. This might lead to teams having less interest in Okamoto or potentially giving out a shorter-term contract.
How Would Okamoto Fit with the Arizona Diamondbacks?
With Tyler Locklear and Pavin Smith fighting for the first base role in Arizona, Okamoto would have a solid chance to be the opening day starting first baseman.
Locklear and Smith are both coming off mediocre seasons at best. Locklear, the right-handed platoon bat, had a .529 OPS after being traded to Arizona last season. Smith, the left-handed bat, had a .797 OPS, but cooled off considerably after April due to injuries and inconsistency.
Neither would be an upgrade over Okamoto.
This would also give Arizona another right-handed power bat in a heavy left-handed lineup.
With Ketel Marte rumors still swirling, it’s also possible for Okamoto to take over the Diamondbacks’ third base job, with Blaze Alexander and Jordan Lawlar currently slated to battle for the hot corner.
Lawlar, the struggling top prospect, has the inside track at the job, but needs to show he can hit at the major league level.
If the Diamondbacks trade Marte, a possibility that seems to diminish by the day, Lawlar or Alexander would move to second, making third base an even bigger hole.
Arizona is in desperate need of a right-handed power bat, with outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. expected to miss a large chunk of the season after tearing his ACL in late 2025. The departure of Suarez does not help either, making this the biggest need after pitching.
If Arizona signs Okamoto, it will have more lineup flexibility against left-handed pitching, making for a better chance to win more games.
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