Why MLB Insider Believes Red Sox Are Among ‘Best’ Spots For Japanese Slugger

The Red Sox could use an impactful bat and an everyday infielder, and there’s a player transitioning to Major League Baseball who figures to offer both.

Kazuma Okamoto has been posted to MLB after an 11-year career in Japan. He has until Jan. 4 to negotiate with MLB teams.

MLB insider Jim Bowden shared Wednesday he views Boston among the best fits for Okamoto.

“I like him at first base over third base, and therefore, I think his best landing spots could be similar to (Pete) Alonso’s, with Boston, Arizona, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Colorado, Washington or the Mets having interest,” Bowden wrote in a story ranking the top free agents represented by super-agent Scott Boras.

Okamoto has played both infield corners, but according to Bowden, the majority of MLB evaluators believe first base is his best position.

The 29-year-old was a star in the NPB and most recently batted .322 with a .992 OPS in 77 games with the Yomiuri Giants — he was limited by an elbow injury that cost him about three months. Okamoto hit 15 home runs and compiled 51 RBIs in 270 at-bats in 2025.

“He arrives with the reputation as a professional hitter and an on-base machine with plus power,” Bowden said. “He has terrific hand-eye coordination and solid contact skills to go along with the power.”

Boston enters the offseason with plenty of infield questions — Is first baseman Triston Casas healthy? Will third baseman Alex Bregman return? Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow also noted the need for a lineup-changing bat given the organization traded Rafael Devers last season.

Perhaps Okamoto fits the bill in Boston.