Blue Jays Sign Japanese Powerhouse Kazuma Okamoto on Four-Year Deal as Roster Upgrades Begin After World Series Run
The Toronto Blue Jays have made their first major offseason move by inking free agent infielder Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract. The deal comes after the team's 2025 World Series run, during which Okamoto's impressive performance for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball likely caught the attention of Blue Jays front office.
A six-time All-Star in Japan, Okamoto is a power-hitting threat who has consistently shown his ability to drive in runs. In 69 games last year, he hit .327 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs, making him an attractive addition to any team looking for a spark at the plate.
To make room for Okamoto on the roster, the Blue Jays designated pitcher Paxton Schultz for assignment. The move comes as no surprise, given that Schultz was not part of the postseason rotation for Toronto in 2025. While he had a solid rookie season with a 3.31 ERA and 5-4 record in 25 games for the Buffalo Bisons, it appears that his time in the majors is limited.
Schultz will now have seven days to either trade him or place him on outright or unconditional release waivers. If he's claimed off waivers by another team, he'll join their 40-man roster and become eligible for optioning to the minor leagues.
While losing Schultz might be a small price to pay for Okamoto, it's clear that the Blue Jays are serious about upgrading their roster this offseason. With the World Series win just behind them, they're looking to make some strategic moves to build a strong foundation for the future.
The Toronto Blue Jays have made their first major offseason move by inking free agent infielder Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract. The deal comes after the team's 2025 World Series run, during which Okamoto's impressive performance for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball likely caught the attention of Blue Jays front office.
A six-time All-Star in Japan, Okamoto is a power-hitting threat who has consistently shown his ability to drive in runs. In 69 games last year, he hit .327 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs, making him an attractive addition to any team looking for a spark at the plate.
To make room for Okamoto on the roster, the Blue Jays designated pitcher Paxton Schultz for assignment. The move comes as no surprise, given that Schultz was not part of the postseason rotation for Toronto in 2025. While he had a solid rookie season with a 3.31 ERA and 5-4 record in 25 games for the Buffalo Bisons, it appears that his time in the majors is limited.
Schultz will now have seven days to either trade him or place him on outright or unconditional release waivers. If he's claimed off waivers by another team, he'll join their 40-man roster and become eligible for optioning to the minor leagues.
While losing Schultz might be a small price to pay for Okamoto, it's clear that the Blue Jays are serious about upgrading their roster this offseason. With the World Series win just behind them, they're looking to make some strategic moves to build a strong foundation for the future.
I'm so stoked about the Blue Jays signing Kazuma Okamoto! He sounds like an absolute beast on the field 
- 15 home runs in just 69 games? That's insane! 
. And yeah, losing Paxton Schultz is a small price to pay if it means getting Okamoto on board. The future looks bright for the Blue Jays! 
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Kazuma okamoto is gonna bring so much power to that lineup and i'm loving the fact they're not afraid to break up a pitcher who wasn't part of the postseason rotation 
paxton schultz was always a bit of a wild card, but he's still got potential and hopefully he'll get another shot elsewhere 
the blue jays are definitely building for the future now and i'm here for it 
i wonder how the team is planning to fit him into the lineup... are they gonna make some trades or something? 
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like Schultz has a good rookie season and now he's getting bounced already lol. think about it tho, 60 mil for okamoto is a steal considering he's been killing it in japan all these years 
. But I do think they're being a bit reckless with Paxton Schultz - I mean, he was solid in Buffalo, but not good enough for the majors? 
. but seriously, blue jays are on fire rn! they gotta keep making these moves if they wanna stay competitive 
He's gonna bring that fire and power to the team. I mean, 6-time All-Star in Japan? That's insane! 
I'm loving what I'm seeing so far from the Blue Jays. This is gonna be an interesting season! 