Why MLB Insider Believes Red Sox Are Among ‘Best’ Spots For Japanese Slugger
Kazuma Okamoto is believed to be better at first base than third
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.
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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.
