Red Sox Eye Kazuma Okamoto as Corner Bat Search Heats Up
As MLB’s offseason continues to unfold, the Boston Red Sox have made it clear they’re not just sitting on their hands. After adding arms in Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, the focus in Boston appears to be shifting - not away from pitching entirely, but toward a glaring need that’s been hanging over them for a while now: power in the middle of the lineup.
Enter Kazuma Okamoto.
The Japanese slugger has emerged as a top target for the Red Sox, and according to reports, they’re pushing hard to land him. Okamoto is part of a trio of high-profile Japanese free agents - alongside Munetaka Murakami and Tatsuya Imai - but it’s Okamoto who seems to check the most boxes for Boston right now.
A Fit That Makes Too Much Sense
Let’s connect the dots here. The Red Sox could be facing the loss of Alex Bregman, and even if Bregman stays, the lineup still lacks a true thumper who can anchor the heart of the order.
Okamoto has played plenty of third base in Japan, but most scouts project him as a quality first baseman in the majors. That versatility is huge for a Boston team that needs help at both corners.
Despite an elbow injury that limited him to just 69 games in 2025, Okamoto still put up video game numbers: a .327/.416/.598 slash line, 15 home runs, and a 210 wRC+. That’s not just solid - that’s elite production.
And if we zoom out a bit, his track record is just as impressive. From 2018 to 2024, he averaged over 33 home runs per year, and in 2025, he posted matching 11.3% walk and strikeout rates - a rare combination of power and plate discipline that’s hard to find in today’s game.
In other words, he’s not just a slugger. He’s a polished, high-IQ hitter who doesn’t chase, doesn’t whiff much, and punishes mistakes. That’s exactly what the Red Sox need.
But the Blue Jays Are Lurking
Boston isn’t alone in this pursuit. The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly in the mix as well, and they’ve already shown they’re willing to spend this offseason.
They handed out $200 million to Dylan Cease and are still working on a potential extension for Bo Bichette. That’s a lot of money already committed - and if they plan to add Okamoto too, they’ll need to get creative.
Here’s the rub, though: Toronto’s infield is already crowded. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andrés Giménez are locked in, and Ernie Clement’s postseason heroics earned him more looks.
If Bichette stays and Ketel Marte comes in via trade, it’s hard to see where Okamoto fits defensively. The DH spot?
That’s still George Springer’s domain for now.
So while the Blue Jays have the financial muscle and the ambition, the roster fit isn’t as clean. For the Red Sox, it’s the opposite - Okamoto could walk into Fenway tomorrow and be penciled into the middle of the lineup and the corner infield without skipping a beat.
The Stakes Are Clear
Boston’s interest in Okamoto isn’t just about adding talent - it’s about direction. This is a team that’s been trying to re-establish itself as a perennial contender, and landing a bat like Okamoto would send a clear message: they’re serious about winning now.
He’s not a guarantee - no international free agent ever is - but Okamoto’s combination of power, patience, and positional flexibility makes him one of the most intriguing hitters on the market. If the Red Sox can close the deal, they’ll not only fill a major need but potentially add a cornerstone piece for years to come.
The question now is whether Toronto steps aside or forces a bidding war. Either way, the Red Sox are in the thick of it - and they know exactly what’s at stake.