TORONTO — Infielder Kazuma Okamoto and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Saturday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced and the person was not authorized to speak publicly about it.
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A six-time All-Star, Okamoto has a .277 average with 248 home runs and 717 RBIs in 11 seasons in Japan’s big leagues, leading the Central League in home runs in 2020, 2021 and 2023. He homered from Colorado’s Kyle Freeland to help Japan beat the United States 3-2 in the final of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
According to the billing agreement between Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, an agreement must be finalized by 5 p.m. EST on Sunday.
Okamoto, a 29-year-old third baseman and first baseman, hit .327 with 15 homers and 49 RBIs in 69 games last year for the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League. He injured his left elbow while attempting to catch a throw at first base on May 6 when he collided with Takumu Nakano of the Hanshin Tigers, an injury that kept Okamoto sidelined until August 16.
With five-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. starting, Okamoto would likely play primarily third. Addison Barger made 67 starts there last year, Ernie Clement 66, Will Wagner 22, Isiah Kiner-Falefa six and Buddy Kennedy one.
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Barger also plays right field, and the addition of Okamoto could mean Andrés Giménez moves from second to shortstop if free agent Bo Bichette doesn’t re-sign. Clément and Davis Schneider could share time in second position.
Under MLB’s posting agreement with NPB, the posting fee would be 20 percent of the first $25 million of a major league contract, including earned bonuses and options. The percentage drops to 17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% of any amount over $50 million. There would be an additional 15% fee on bonuses earned, salary increases and options exercised.
