After getting to the World Series in 2025 and after spending nearly $350 million guaranteed dollars on four players this offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays enter the 2026 campaign as the favorite to win the American League pennant.

That said, they are not without questions, and one stands out to us in particular with just 2.5 weeks to go until spring training.

Just what is the plan for the newly-signed Kazuma Okamoto?

A questionable defender, Okamoto is better known for his bat. About to turn 30 years old, he's a .277 career hitter in the NPB with 248 home runs. He makes exceptional contact and only struck out 11.3 percent of the time in 2025.

He also helped Team Japan win the 2023 World Baseball Classic, pairing with the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Munetaka Murakami and Yu Darvish. That team beat the United States in an epic gold medal final. He's expected to play for Japan again in the 2026 version of the event, which begins on March 4.

Okamoto is known as a questionable defender, and he's typically played third base or first base. However, the Blue Jays reportedly said they preferred to use him in a super-utility role after signing him.

Is that still the plan, or was that only the plan if the team signed Kyle Tucker or Bichette in free agency?

The Jays could role out a lineup that features Addison Barger in right, Ernie Clement at second and Okamoto as the every day third baseman. Or, they could put Barger at third, Clement at second and Okamoto in right, where they've said he can play as well. If they want that same infield alignment, Myles Straw, Davis Schneider or Joey Loperfido could play right field and send Okamoto to the bench, but a $60 million bench player seems unnecessary. The team figures to play Okamoto on most days, it's just a matter of where and how that playing time is distributed.

On the non-Okamoto front, the Blue Jays have questions about how their fifth starter spot will be handled in the rotation. Shane Bieber, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease and Trey Yesavage are all guaranteed spots while Jose Berrios and Cody Ponce battle for the final spot. It's expected to go to Ponce, who was signed to a three-year deal over this offseason. That deal is worth $30 million.

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