While the competition may be stiff, can the Washington Nationals turn to Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto for a spark in 2026?
Whether it is the bullpen or starting rotation, pitching remains a question mark for the Washington Nationals ahead of the 2026 season as manager Blake Butera, president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and general manager Ani Kilambi continue to put the pieces together into the new year.
But there are also question marks in the infield, especially at first base.
Luis Garcia moved from second to first base midway through the 2025 season where he started in two of the final five games at the new position, admitting the continued adjustment as the now longest-tenured National is hoped to get more work at first through the offseason. But that has not come to fruition yet with all of his appearances coming at second base with Los Gigantes Del Cibao this winter, adding one home run and nine RBIs in 14 appearances despite entering the season as a first base candidate and Toboni noting during the Winter Meetings he looks for Garcia to get extra reps at first base this offseason.
There could be another option, though.
Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto is reportedly already in the United States to meet with MLB teams ahead of the posting deadline. While he's expected to draw a long list of suitors, three teams are reportedly no longer involved: New York Yankees, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies.
Though considered a better defender at third base, Okamoto is expected to shift to first base in the MLB - providing a fit at a position of need for the Nationals.
The question is, how realistic will that be?
The Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels are the prominent teams linked to Okamoto though MLBTradeRumors.com pointed to the Nationals among the most of teams with "varying levels of questions at the infield corners" alongside the Mariners and Cubs among others. Reports have pointed to the Pittsburgh Pirates as a team to watch with the Angels and Padres squarely in the mix, though the Pirates also signed infielder Ryan O'Hearn to a two-year deal last week who fills the first base slot.
With the Nationals staring at a rebuild season, will Okamoto, who turns 30 this season, spurn other interest for the nation's capital? Time will tell whether Washington is able to wiggle their way into what is now shaping up to be a dwindling field of suitors with some teams shifting attention to 2026 and others reportedly reducing payroll, but in an offseason with little movement, the international star could serve the key offseason win for the new front office.
It won't be too long, though, with the deadline for Okamoto to sign with an MLB team set for Jan. 4.
Through 1,074 games in his career, Okamoto has recorded a .277 batting average with 248 home runs, 717 RBIs, 574 runs scored, 1,089 hits and 13 stolen bases. He has also recorded at least 30 home runs in nine seasons, though he's coming off an injury riddled season after an elbow injury limited to a career-low 15 home runs in 2025.