Coming off the free agent block one-by-one, the last man standing is Cody Bellinger who is being wooed by the Yankees but still remains unsigned. The Dodgers, Blue Jays, Mets, Phillies and Cubs still are making the moves while some teams are still in the rear view mirror. One signing by the Blue Jays of Kazuma Okamoto only solidifies the seriousness of the Jays wanting to make the postseason again.
Here’s a synopsis of Okamoto from his Topps Now card:
Kazuma Okamoto is taking his slugging prowess to “The 6,” inking a four-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Japanese star enjoyed a six-year stretch (2018-23) in which he mashed 30 or more homers, including a career-high 41(2023) with the Yomiuri Giants. Okamoto heads to MLB with 248 dingers, a .277 batting average, and a .521 slugging percentage in 11 NPB seasons.
Until then, see you at the park!
— Joe Boesch