Yankees Eye Kazuma Okamoto as Top Target in Offseason Bid

Japanese baseball star Kazuma Okamoto is set to be posted by the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, potentially making him a prime target for several Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. This announcement comes as Okamoto shares the spotlight with fellow infielder Munetaka Murakami, who will also be available this offseason. While both players are highly regarded, Okamoto’s distinct skill set may attract teams like the New York Yankees, who are evaluating their options for the upcoming season.

In 2025, both Okamoto and Murakami faced shortened seasons due to injuries. Okamoto suffered an elbow injury following a collision at first base, yet managed to post impressive statistics: a batting average of .327, an on-base percentage of .416, and a slugging percentage of .598, while hitting 15 home runs over 293 at-bats. Although he may not possess the same power potential as Murakami, who led the league with 41 home runs in 2023, Okamoto has claimed the home run title three times during his career.

At 29 years old, Okamoto is slightly older than Murakami, who is 25. This age difference may be a consideration for Yankees management as they weigh their options. Both players are capable of playing first base and third base. However, Okamoto’s defensive capabilities are notable; he has earned three Golden Gloves, including one at first base in 2024 and two at third base in 2021 and 2022. In contrast, Murakami is often considered a below-average defender, likely limiting him to first base.

New York has struggled with defensive issues, making this factor critical in their decision-making process. Furthermore, Okamoto’s right-handed bat would provide the Yankees with a strategic advantage against left-handed pitchers, particularly given the current struggles of players like Ryan McMahon and Ben Rice against southpaws. Both McMahon and Rice face uncertainty as Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario enter free agency.

A significant advantage Okamoto has over Murakami is his strikeout rate. In his 3,117 career NPB at-bats, Murakami struck out 977 times, which is approximately 31% of his appearances. In contrast, Okamoto struck out only 796 times over 3,934 at-bats. While Murakami holds an edge in power and on-base statistics, the Yankees have identified a critical weakness in their tendency to swing and miss, which was evident during their recent American League Division Series (ALDS) defeat.

Should the Yankees successfully sign either Okamoto or Murakami, both players would likely bring valuable contributions to the team. Nonetheless, given Murakami’s tendency to align with two of the Yankees’ major shortcomings and the likelihood of him commanding a higher salary, it is plausible that the Yankees will prioritize pursuing Okamoto in their offseason strategies.