Kazuma Okamoto still linked to Padres with week to go
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The San Diego Padres are still linked to Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto, who will sign this week.
Kazuma Okamoto will sign on or before January 4 with a major league team. That is for sure.
The Pirates, Angels, and Padres have been linked to the slugger for some time, but in recent days, other teams are emerging.
The Blue Jays, the Diamondbacks, and the Red Sox are also linked to Okamoto now. The Japanese infielder is reportedly in the U.S. and meeting with teams. Scott Boras represents Okamoto, and that can be intimidating to some teams. Thankfully, for the Padres, they have a working relationship with the super-agent.
Will that lead to a signing? That remains to be seen.
Kazuma Okamoto is a career .277/.361/.522 hitter who brings excellent right-handed power to the plate. The slugger recorded 30 or more homers in nine of his 11 years in Japan. The 29-year-old was limited to 69 games with an elbow injury last year, but put up arguably his best offensive numbers in terms of stats. Okamoto recorded a .327/.416/.598 slash line in 293 plate appearances. There is little doubt that he will succeed in the majors to some degree.
His glove work comes with some questions, though. Okamoto can play both corner infield spots. Most view him as a DH/first base option, and that just happens to be what the Padres need. The ability to play third base is also helpful for a potential team, but his future appears to be at first.
There are rumors that a few other “surprise” teams are taking an interest in recent days. Munetaka Murakami signed with the White Sox last week for $34 million and two years. That was far less than expected for the Japanese left-handed hitting slugger. Perhaps teams are emerging as Okamoto comes with less risk. Maybe they think they can secure a bargain.
It will all come down to dollars and sense for A.J. Preller. Money is a huge hurdle, and the signing must make sense for the Padres. San Diego does not possess the financial flexibility of a team like Boston or Toronto, so if it comes down to a bidding war, they will lose.
If Okamoto can be secured at a decent rate, and the Padres can shed some salary, then the addition makes sense. Though nothing is reported about the Padres being maxed out with their spending, their actions indicate that they will remain frugal when filling the roster. Even the addition of Michael King came with a signing bonus and a low AAV for 2026 as the team attempts to add players on a budget for the coming season.
The asking price appears to be in the $12-17 million range per season at around three or four years (possibly more). That could be excellent value, being that Okamoto comes with a reputation for being a quality hitter. The transition to the majors will not be easy, but he should enjoy success at the highest level of baseball. He will produce.
San Diego will remain interested, but it will take some effort to secure the Japanese superstar.
The clock is ticking as Kazuma Okamoto will sign in the next week.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.