We may not know where Kazuma Okamoto is going to play in 2026. But we do now know he’s not going to come cheap.
The Japanese outfielder, who reportedly will be posted by the Yomiuri Giants this off-season, hired Scott Boras as his agent, according to baseball writer Francys Romero.
Okamoto, 29, has played first base, third base and outfield for the Giants and is a six-time All-Star of the Nippon League. Last season, Okamoto had a .992 OPS and 15 home runs in 314 plate appearances over 77 games for Yomiuri.
Kazuma Okamoto Fits With The Yankees
It’s been a decade-and-a-half since Hideki Matsui donned a New York Yankees uniform, and he remains the only position player to post then sign with the Yankees — even though they have landed pitchers like Masahiro Tanaka since.
But Okamoto, who is a right-handed hitter with 277 career home runs in his decade of playing at the highest level of Japanese baseball, makes a lot of sense for the Yankees as an alternative if they can’t bring back Cody Bellinger — or even if they can.
The Yankees deployed a righty/lefty platoons at first and third base this season, yet they will lose Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario in free agency, since each was playing on an expiring contract.
That means they could use a right-handed hitting corner infielder to spell Ryan McMahon and/or Ben Rice against lefties, and Okamoto could play 1-2 games per week in the outfield — likely left field — so he can play a consistent 4-5 games per week.
Okamoto is a natural right fielder, which would offer insurance if something goes awry with Aaron Judge’s elbow — or the MVP outfielder goes down.
Okamoto could also help the Yankees with both power and contact, since he has been a high-average hitter in Japan. The veteran’s batting average has improved in each of the past three seasons, peaking at .322 for Yomiuri in 2025.
Okamoto will not be the only Boras-repped client for the Yankees to negotiate with this off-season, since Bellinger is also represented by the baseball super agent.
The Yankees Will Have Competition Signing Kazuma Okamoto
The Yankees may have one of the best fits for the Japanese utility player, but they are hardly the only ones.
The New York Mets, who may lose Pete Alonso in free agency and are coming off a season where they missed the postseason, may go big-game hunting again with the seemingly limitless funds of owner Steve Cohen.
Cohen, of course, outbid the Yankees for Juan Soto a year ago and could be a financial thorn in the side of Hal Steinbrenner, who is loathe to surpass the $300 million threshold for the Yankees payroll next season. Plus, he could play every day at third base, where the Mets had just a .714 team OPS.
Yet, perhaps more daunting to Yankees fans, could be the rival Boston Red Sox‘s reported interest in Okamoto. Boston could use a right-handed hitting option to platoon at first base with Tristan Casas, and Okamoto could be a seamless fit to play most days at third base if Alex Bregman exercises his opt-out clause and leaves in free agency this winter.
Plus, the Los Angeles Dodgers are sure to get in the mix, since they have limitless wealth and have cornered the market on Japanese superstar players.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Yankees Rumored Free Agent Target Kazuma Okamoto Makes Major Decision appeared first on Heavy Sports.