Kazuma Okamoto spoke about why he's leaving NPB for MLB.
Last week, the Toronto Blue Jays officially introduced new slugger Kazuma Okamoto to the public after signing him to a four-year deal worth $60 million.
It was a big move for the Jays, who added an unknown entity to the core of a group that is contending for a World Series. And it was a big move for Okamoto, who left the security of his home nation, and the only league he's ever known, to come and test himself.
In a recent interview with Japanese media, Okamoto explained why he wanted to come to North America. It has been translated on social media by the Yakyu Cosmopolitan.
Kazuma Okamoto on why he wanted to go to MLB now
“To be honest, I think my baseball career from here is short. With that in mind, I don’t want to have any regrets. So that’s the biggest reason. Whether I succeed or fail, I don’t want to have regrets in my life.
More Blue Jays stories:
About Okamoto and his fit
Now 29 years old, Okamoto is known for his bat, which has been one of the best in Japan for the last several years. A member of Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic title team, Okamoto has six seasons of 30 homers or more under his belt - even as the NPB goes through a power decline. In addition to being a power threat, he's a .274 lifetime hitter who walks a lot and doesn't strike out much.
For a Blue Jays team that gained popularity in the playoffs because of its ability to hit homers and simply put the ball in play, Okamoto seems like he'll fit right in.
Furthermore, because the Blue Jays plan to use him in a super-utility role, he can likely get by without the pressure that usually comes with high-profile signings. He will hit behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer and Alejandro Kirk in the lineup. He'll also be behind Kyle Tucker, should the Jays be able to sign him too.
About the potential impact of this signing
We've discussed it before, but it bears repeating: If the Blue Jays can gain a foothold in Asia, that's a major win for the organization. It can help create more revenue and marketing opportunities, but it can also help lure more Japanese players to Toronto.
The Jays have had Munenori Kawasaki and Yusei Kikuchi most prominently in the last 15 years, but Okamoto turning into a star would go a long way in expanding the organization's presence in Japan.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Remember to join our BLUE JAYS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Blue Jays fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!