The New York Yankees have frustrated their fanbase by failing to make any major splashes so far this offseason. GM Brian Cashman appears willing to wait it out to sign either Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger. The stars are viewed as two of the top remaining hitters in free agency.
Bringing in a top outfielder ahead of the 2026 season remains a top priority for Cashman. Nevertheless, the exec has admitted that the Yankee lineup is far too left-handed. Tucker and Bellinger both hit from the left side of the plate, too. While New York is willing to make an exception to sign one of the stars, an additional right-handed bat is desperately needed.
One potential option for the Yankees is to sign Japanese free agent Kazuma Okamoto. New York has been linked with the first/third baseman by several outlets, including ESPN and CBS Sports’ Jim Bowden. Okamoto would give the Yankees a solid righty hitter in their lineup, while also filling a hole at first base left by free agent Paul Goldschmidt.
Despite the links, the Pittsburgh Pirates have become shock Okamoto suitors. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates officials have held “multiple” virtual meetings with the star slugger. The Pirates have already traded for Brandon Lowe and are looking to further improve a lineup that scored the fewest runs in the league in 2025.
Kazuma Okamoto Would Seemingly be Solid fit for New York Yankees
GettyKazuma Okamoto has until January 4 to sign with an MLB team.
Goldschmidt featured at first base 139 times in 2025 for the Yankees. Despite putting up decent numbers on the campaign, the now 38-year-old veteran is unlikely to re-sign in New York. The Yankees could also plug Ben Rice in at first base going forward. The former 13th-ranked prospect in the organization in 2024 played 50 games last season at the position. Nevertheless, Rice is yet another lefty bat on the team.
Okamoto hit .327 and posted an impressive 1.014 OPS during 2025 in Japan. He also walked just as many times as he struck out on the season, leading to a solid .416 OBP. It is always difficult to determine how Japanese hitters will adjust to MLB pitching. Yet putting a player with these stats ahead of a power hitter such as Aaron Judge seems like an easy call.
CBS Sports previously rated Okamoto as the 22nd-best free agent in baseball. The outlet placed the infielder just ahead of Josh Naylor in the rankings. The first baseman signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract extension with the Seattle Mariners on November 17.
Yankees Want to Bring in a Japanese Player this Winter
On top of potentially missing out on Okamoto in their lineup, the Yankees could also fail yet again to bring in another Japanese player. New York’s last player from Japan was Masahiro Tanaka in 2020. Cashman has been open about ending this streak and tapping into the Japanese market as soon as possible. The Yankees, however, remain interested in starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai.
Assuming New York does not sign Okamoto ahead of his January 4 deadline, the team will have to turn to other options. The list of quality right-handed first basemen in free agency is not exactly lengthy, though. As a result, the Yankees may have to stick with what they currently have at the position or opt to make a trade.
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