The Offseason Monitor: Okomoto is Toronto Bound
Toronto snatches Okomoto from the International pool in shocking fashion
It was widely reported that Kazuma Okomoto had a small market of teams interested, headlined by the Angels, Padres, and Jon’s Pittsburgh Pirates. Tough day to be a Bucco’s fan. That lineup would be way more intriguing with Okomoto’s name in the lineup over Jared Triolo… Ouch. Anyways, Toronto seems to have an unlimited checkbook and will do anything in their power to get back to the Fall Classic. Adding Okomoto on a 4-year $60 million deal is just one of many moves made this offseason by Toronto.
Let’s get to know Mr. Okomoto. He is currently 29 years old and will be turning 30 in June this upcoming season. Kazuma stands 6 feet tall and weighs 212 lbs. For the Yomiuri Giants, over his NPB career, he has shown power productivity, including from 2018 to 2023, when he hit at least 30 homers in each season. Not a steals threat by any means, totaling 14 steals over 11 NPB seasons. You can see his full NPB historical stats here.
Fit with the Blue Jays Lineup
Toronto seems to be a good landing spot for Okomoto. The Blue Jays offer:
A lineup that can insulate him from pressure
Plenty of RBI opportunities
A park that does not suppress right-handed power
Fangraphs projects Okamoto batting seventh, where his power can play without asking him to be a primary on-base catalyst. Okomoto does not strike out much either; something Toronto absolutely loves. That lineup context is a big reason his RBI projection holds steady despite an international transition period. The MLB Data Warehouse projects Okomoto for the following.
→ 575 PA, 71 R, 25 HR, 82 RBI, 22% K%, 9.7% BB%
→ .244/.325/.440
Draft Context: Where Does He Fit?
In early NFBC drafts, Okamoto is currently slotted around 3B 26, sandwiched between names like:
Miguel Vargas
Ernie Clement
Colt Keith
Brooks Lee
That placement makes some sense. He’s not being drafted as a savior at third base—but he’s clearly viewed as a stable power option with everyday upside.
What stands out is that Okamoto projects for more raw home-run output than several of the hitters currently going around him, especially those relying more on batting average or positional flexibility. Check out the current 3B ranking and more here as drafts go on.
Bottom Line
Kazuma Okamoto’s move to Toronto doesn’t reshape the fantasy landscape, but it adds a reliable power bat to a thin third-base pool. At his current NFBC price, he’s a sensible target for managers who prioritize other categories than power early in lineup construction. The home-run floor over flashy upside is present with Okomoto.
RIP to the Pirates fans’ hopes and dreams of getting another power bat into their lineup…
