The Pittsburgh Pirates have rarely signed native players as free agents from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.

The most notable one was right-hander Masumi Kuwata. Long considered one of Japan's top pitchers, Kuwata joined the Pirates as a 39-year-old in 2007. He made 19 relief appearances and had a 0-1 record and 9.43 ERA.

Eighteen years later, the Pirates are linked to another top Japanese player. They have an interest in Yomiuri Giants third baseman Kazuma Okamoto.

The 29-year-old right-handed hitter has spent his entire 11-year career with Yomiuri. He is currently the Giants' captain but wants the opportunity to play in the major leagues.

Okamoto was limited to 89 games this season by an elbow injury that did not require surgery, and he hit .327/.416/.598 with 15 home runs. He also had as many walks as strikeouts – 33 – in 293 plate appearances.

Okamoto has a career slash line of .277/.361/.521 to go with 248 home runs in 1,074 games. He hit at least 30 homers in six straight seasons from 2018-23, then went deep 27 times in 2024.

Many Japanese hitters often initially struggle when they come to the United States because MLB pitchers generally throw harder than their NPB counterparts. While Okamoto might have an adjustment period, scouts and talent evaluators believe his power would eventually translate to the big leagues.

Okamoto is considered an average defensive third baseman, at best. He can also play first base.

The biggest name among NPB position players who are free agents is Munetaka Murakami, a 25-year-old left-handed hitter who has belted 246 homers in eight seasons with the Yakult Swallows. Outside of Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki, Murakami is the best hitter to make the jump from Japan to MLB.

Murakami figures to land a contract of at least $100 million, which puts him out of the Pirates' price range. Okamoto will be more affordable and might be a more realistic target.

Okamoto would be a good fit at third base for the Pirates, as he provides more power than presumptive starter Jared Triolo, who is an outstanding defender who could become the regular shortstop. And the Pirates could undoubtedly use a lineup boost after finishing last in the majors in runs scored and home runs this past season.