The Pittsburgh Pirates have been active on the international front this offseason, and with good reason. After a 71-91 finish and another last-place showing in the NL Central, the Bucs are looking for answers-especially at the plate.
They scored just 583 runs all year, the fewest in Major League Baseball. That’s not just a slump; that’s a full-blown offensive crisis.
Enter Kazuma Okamoto.
The 26-year-old slugger from Japan is one of the top remaining position players on the international market, and the Pirates have reportedly shown real interest. According to reports, Pittsburgh has already held multiple virtual meetings with Okamoto as they explore ways to bolster a lineup that’s been stuck in neutral for years.
The Pirates were also in on Munetaka Murakami, another big bat from Japan who recently signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. Murakami is off the board, but Okamoto remains available-and he might just be the better long-term fit for Pittsburgh’s timeline.
Both Murakami and Okamoto bring legit power from the right side and can handle third base, a position where the Pirates have lacked consistent production. Okamoto, in particular, is intriguing because of his potential to anchor the middle of the order. While Murakami is younger, Okamoto’s experience and plate discipline could make him a more immediate contributor.
The Pirates, who recently traded for Brandon Lowe-a second baseman with 30-homer upside-even in pitcher-friendly PNC Park, are clearly trying to inject some firepower into their lineup. Pairing Lowe and Okamoto could give Pittsburgh a legitimate heart of the order, something they haven’t had in years.
Now, don’t expect Okamoto to command the same contract terms as Murakami. He’s a few years older and may be looking for a different kind of deal-possibly one with a longer term and a lower average annual value, maybe even with some player-friendly opt-outs. That could actually work in Pittsburgh’s favor, especially if Okamoto is willing to bet on himself in his first MLB stint.
The signing window for Okamoto closes on January 4th, giving the Pirates a little more time to strike a deal. And while the front office has been tight-lipped, the multiple meetings suggest there’s real interest-and possibly real momentum.
This is a franchise that hasn’t seen the postseason since 2015, the longest active playoff drought in the National League. They’ve had five last-place finishes in the past seven seasons. But with a few smart moves-like landing Okamoto-they could finally be turning a corner.
It’s far from a done deal, but if the Pirates can bring Okamoto into the fold, it would be a major step toward reshaping a lineup that desperately needs a new identity.