The Tigers enter the offseason with one glaring need: impact offense. Much of the buzz has centered on the widely publicized Munetaka Murakami, but as one recent piece argues, Detroit might find better value by pursuing a slightly under-the-radar Japanese free agent instead: Kazuma Okamoto
By broadening their scope beyond Murakami, the Tigers open the door to a player who might cost less, offer more immediate positional fit, and allow Detroit to allocate resources more strategically. The question isn’t just “can we land a Japanese star?” but “which one aligns best with our timing and needs?”
Who is Kazuma Okamoto
Okamoto is one of Japan’s premier sluggers, and now he’s making his intentions clear about a move to Major League Baseball. His native club, the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, has officially approved his posting via the MLB posting system, opening the door for all 30 major-league teams to negotiate with the 29-year-old right-handed corner infielder.
“I have decided to take on the challenge of playing in MLB through the posting system,” Okamoto said. “I’m grateful to all the team officials and fans who respected my decision and gave me their support.
“I believe MLB is the best league in the world, and I’ve always wanted to play there. I’ve worked hard with that goal in mind.”
Okamoto has built an outstanding professional resume: He has hit 248 home runs over his NPB career, has averaged more than 30 home runs per season in his prime years, and is a consistent offensive performer with a career slash line of roughly .277/.361/.521 before his posting announcement. He also brought his power to an international stage, performing exceptionally well in the 2023 World Baseball Classic when representing Japan.
Defensively, Okamoto offers versatility. He has logged significant time at third base (his primary position), but has also played first base and even some outfield. He’s been recognized in Japan with multiple Golden Glove awards, suggesting that his value isn’t limited to just his bat.
From a contractual standpoint, the posting situation is important, because Okamoto is not yet an international free agent, his transfer to MLB would require a release/Post system agreement between MLB teams and the Yomiuri Giants. In other words, any interested MLB franchise will need to consider not only a significant salary commitment for Okamoto, but also the posting fee owed to his Japanese club.
How Okamoto Differs From Murakami
When comparing Okamoto and Murakami, the differences go well beyond age–they speak to value, risk tolerance, role profile and roster fit. Okamoto enters the market with slightly less runway than 25-year-old Murakami, but that chronological gap may translate into cost savings and a more known quantity at the plate.
Murakami is viewed as a generational slugger coming out of Japan, but with that upside comes some volatility: higher strike-out rates, defensive questions, and premium expectations. His standout 2022 season (.318/.458/.710, 56 HR, 134 RBI) puts him in rarified air, but it also sets a high bar.
By contrast, Okamoto has built his career on consistency. From 2018 through 2024 he posted six seasons of 30+ homers and stayed relatively healthy during that span–the kind of steady output that appeals to a team prioritizing stability over streaks. According to Sports Illustrated, Okamoto had “just 36 K’s this season and 97 over 143 games in 2024.”
The positional and usage profiles also differ. While Murakami appears destined to spend time as a full-time DH, despite currently being listed at third and first base, Detroit has historically resisted committing to a full-time DH role. That uncertainty may raise match-up concerns. Meanwhile Okamoto offers a more flexible defensive profile.
According to MLB.com, “the Yankees, Mets, Phillies and Mariners are among the teams that could make a big push for Murakami” as well as “the Dodgers, Giants and Red Sox.” With so many big-market clubs expected to chase Murakami, a player like Okamoto could end up being more attainable for a team like Detroit looking to make a smart, targeted splash.
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