The Red Sox are in the market for a difference-maker - someone who can anchor the lineup and hold down an infield spot on a daily basis. Enter Kazuma Okamoto, a name that’s turning heads as he makes the jump from Japan to Major League Baseball.
After an 11-year run with the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball, Okamoto has officially been posted and has until January 4 to strike a deal with an MLB club. And yes, Boston is firmly in the mix.
According to MLB insider Jim Bowden, the Red Sox are among the top fits for Okamoto - especially if he slots in at first base. That’s where most evaluators see his defensive future, even though he’s logged time at both infield corners. Bowden likened his market to that of Pete Alonso, listing Boston alongside Arizona, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Colorado, Washington, and the Mets as potential landing spots.
For the Red Sox, the timing makes sense. They’re coming off a season of transition, and with Rafael Devers dealt last year, there’s a clear need for a power bat who can stabilize the middle of the order. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has already hinted at the need for a lineup-altering presence - and Okamoto could be that guy.
At 29, Okamoto brings a polished offensive profile. In just 77 games this past season - limited by an elbow injury that sidelined him for about three months - he still managed to put up a .322 batting average and a .992 OPS.
That’s not just solid; that’s elite production in any league. He also added 15 home runs and 51 RBIs in only 270 at-bats.
Project that over a full season, and you’re looking at the kind of numbers that can carry a lineup.
Scouts rave about his approach at the plate. He’s known for his excellent hand-eye coordination, a keen eye for the strike zone, and legitimate power to all fields.
Bowden described him as “a professional hitter and an on-base machine with plus power.” That’s exactly the profile the Red Sox have been missing - a hitter who doesn’t just swing for the fences but understands how to work counts and drive the ball with authority.
There’s also the positional flexibility. While most see him as a better fit at first base - where his glove plays more comfortably - his experience at third gives teams options. That could matter depending on how Boston handles the rest of its infield this offseason, especially with questions still swirling around Alex Bregman’s future.
Bottom line: Okamoto checks a lot of boxes for a Red Sox team looking to retool on the fly. He brings power, plate discipline, and a track record of success in one of the world’s top professional leagues. If Boston can land him, it wouldn’t just fill a hole - it could reshape the heart of their lineup.