The Toronto Blue Jays have made a big splash to kick off the new year. The reigning AL Champions have signed free agent Kazuma Okamoto. The two parties have agreed to a four-year, $60 million contract. Of course, everyone is wondering how this will affect the Blue Jays’ ability to sign another one of Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker, and Alex Bregman.
Some pundits believe that the Blue Jays are adding another solid bat to their lineup, who can play third base. Other analysts are convinced that Tucker is the next signing for Toronto. Those analysts also consider Tucker a better fit for the team because of his defensive ability.
Here is where Okamoto can fit into the Blue Jays lineup and how his new contract will affect the future of Bichette, Tucker, and Bregman in Toronto.
How Does the Okamoto Signing Affect Their Chances of Signing Tucker, Bichette, and Bregman?
Signing a bat like Okamoto is excellent news for Toronto. The big bat smashed 41 home runs three seasons ago. However, how does his new contract affect what the team does from now until the beginning of Spring Training?
MLB insider Keegan Matheson offers some perspective on what could happen and how Okamoto fits into everything.
“I don’t view the Okamoto deal as taking the #BlueJays ‘out’ of anything, Tucker and Bichette included,” Matheson wrote on X after the signing on January 3rd. “You can’t be out of a market you don’t know the cost of yet. They, like everyone else, are waiting on the right prices. They’re moving like big dogs and should continue to.”
This should be music to the ears of Blue Jays’ fans. Given the modest sum of the Okamoto deal, there is plenty of money in the bank to also add one of Bichette, Tucker, and Bregman.
The End of Bregman Hopes in Toronto?
The first player to look at is Bregman. Matheson believes that signing Okamoto virtually takes the Blue Jays out of the Bregman conversation.
“Given that Okamoto profiles best as a third baseman for the Blue Jays, this seems to lessen the appeal of Bregman to Toronto,” Matheson wrote in an MLB.com article on January 3rd. “Bumping Addison Barger to more time in right field and Ernie Clement to more time at second. That could change if the Blue Jays can find a way to reunite with Bichette.”
“But the market for these big names has developed slowly as clubs wait out the process and wait on the potential of one or more players involved taking a shorter-term deal.”
Tucker Hopes in Toronto Are Alive and Well
Matheson continues by sharing an update on the Blue Jays’ chances of landing the belle of the free agency ball — Tucker.
“Tucker is still as clean a fit as ever, though, as an outfielder,” Matheson wrote. “The Blue Jays have long been considered one of the likeliest teams to land Tucker, and for good reason, given the obvious fit and their ability to spend.”
Tucker would be an excellent fit for the Blue Jays. Sadly, adding Tucker, after already adding Okamoto, likely means a Bichette reunion is all but over.
Bo Bichette Moving on?
Jon Heyman provided an update on the potential suitors pursuing Bichette. The New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and the Blue Jays have all been linked.
Now, bringing back Bichette likely means moving Addison Barger to the outfield. Which would be great for the Blue Jays’ offense, but would mean the hopes of adding Tucker would fade away.
Is there a world where the Blue Jays could still add Tucker and Bichette? It’s certainly possible. At this point, it’s just a matter of whether the players and Toronto can find common ground.
How Kazuma Okamoto Affects the Blue Jays’ Salary Situation
According to Spotrac, with Okamoto’s $15 million per season added to Toronto’s total, the team has a projected luxury tax payroll of $294,882,959.
If they didn’t make any more deals this winter, Okamoto would be the seventh-highest-paid Blue Jays player on the team. Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Dylan Cease, George Spring, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, and Andres Gimenez are the only players on the team with a higher salary.
Should the Blue Jays add one of Tucker or Bichette, they would command a salary higher than Okamoto.
One way or another, the rest of the offseason leading into Spring Training should be entertaining. Either the Blue Jays add another big bat, or they stand pat with their roster. Either way, it’s hard to look at what they’ve done this offseason and think that they haven’t improved their roster.
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