Japanese star, Kazuma Okamoto, is being posted by his club, the Yomiuri Giants. This is huge news as the MLB will get a shot at another NPB phenom. Many clubs will take interest and it is possible that a bidding war will go down. An early name with commanding hype is the Boston Red Sox. The Nationals would surely be a longshot, but anything can happen. Okamoto has some critiques so if they gain some steam and his value drops off enough, he enters the Nationals monetary ballpark.
Player Profile: Kazuma Okamoto
Okamoto has been in the NPB for 11 years now. However, he began his career at the young age of 19. At 29, he still has elite years yet to be played and potentially that may be in the MLB.
With the major league club, Okamoto had the best year of his career in 2025. He batted .322 with an OPS of 1.014. In 69 games, he had 15 Home Runs, 33 Walks, and 49 RBI's. In his career, he has six all-star selections, two gold gloves, and three home run titles.
What can be expected of Okamoto is that he is a slugger. The hitting comparison could suggested to be George Springer, Spencer Torkleson, Austin Riley, and Manny Machado. As for his fielding, Okamoto is a corner infielder that can play 1st and 3rd base. Common Japanese comparisons that have been floated have been Seiya Suzuki and the other incoming Japanese prospect, Munataka Murakami.
Free Agency Market Outlook
The Yomiuri Giants posted Okamoto which will allow him to explore a move to the MLB in the coming months. Without a doubt, he will generate heavy interest. Early estimates suggest that he may demand $10-20M AAV, but is is still very undefined. He must get into the marketplace and then bidding can occur. He is 29 years old, so I doubt that any team will sign him to an extensive deal, especially with the unknown of how he may translate to the MLB.
Some Japanese transfers have thrived in the MLB. We look at Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. On the other hand, some have not translated into the elite expected form. We look here to Kodai Senga and Yusei Kukuchi. For the most part, they perform well, but it is still an added risk to whatever extent we want to call it one.
Given these demands, it prices out the Nationals to an extent, but not fully. They could very well decide that with a new brass, they want to make a splash. Will it be hard to attract someone like Okamoto to DC? Yes, likely, but not impossible. Should the Red Sox, Dodgers, or Mets shy away given an array of potential reasons, another bidder enters. Surely, the Nationals may sit above many other MLB teams.
Why the Nationals Could Use Kazuma Okamoto
One position that the Nationals have not got locked down is first base. In 2025, the Nationals used Josh Bell and Luis Garcia Jr. at first base. Their highest ranked 1B prospect that is due up anytime soon is Yohandy Morales and he struggled to rise in 2025 as he stands just 18th in the farm system.
At 3rd base, the Nationals have Brady House. Likewise, Morales is the only corner infielder due up anytime soon. This makes free agency a logical spot for the Nationals to look at to fill out their infield. Could they splash on Okamoto for that gap fill? Possibly.
Look at 2025 — the Nationals spent well over $10M on players that provided little-to-no value. If they can get Okamoto for, say $15M, why not try? You will add a reliable infielder with great slugging value and he is still in his prime. These days, it seems like MLB contracts are usually 1 year rentals or 8+ year long-term deals. That is not always the case, but it seems like it. Okamoto could fit the script as a mid-term contract without committing an insane amount of cash.
It is still very much a longshot, but worth this discussion. It will be interesting to watch the Okamoto bidding take place as we approach 2026 along with other potential signings. Let me know your thoughts on X - @jetbets17