Red Sox reportedly have ‘big interest’ in signing Japanese infielder

One of many high priorities this offseason for Craig Breslow and the Pink Sox’ entrance workplace is including extra pop to the lineup — ideally at an infield place. 

In line with Jon Heyman of the New York Publish, the Pink Sox might handle that roster deficiency this winter by bringing on one of many extra intriguing gamers out in the marketplace in Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto. 

Per Heyman, the Pink Sox are one of many groups who’ve expressed a “massive curiosity” in Okamoto — alongside the Blue Jays and Pirates. 

The 29-year-old Okamoto has been posted to MLB after spending the primary 11 years of his professional profession in Japan — and will mission as a extra inexpensive possibility at first base for a workforce like Boston, particularly when contrasted with a pricier free-agent pickup like Pete Alonso. 

In line with former MLB GM Jim Bowden, MLB evaluators mission Okamoto as a primary baseman on the big-league degree — where he could hold value as a plus-defensive asset with solid pop and a low strikeout rate. 

A six-time All-Star in Japan, Okamoto posted six seasons of 30-plus residence runs throughout his prolonged in NPB. Regardless of being restricted to only 69 video games in 2025 on account of accidents, Okamoto nonetheless posted 15 residence runs and 49 RBI. 

Even when Okamoto may be extra of a 15-20-homer participant in MLB, that strong pop can also be complemented by robust plate self-discipline — as he has sported a 17.7 % strikeout charge and a ten.7 % stroll charge in his professional profession thus far. 

His ceiling may be decrease than one other Japanese offseason goal like Munetaka Murakami — whose plus energy can also be undercut by a regarding strikeout charge in opposition to NPB pitching (29.5 % in 2024). 

However Murakami does boast the next flooring on the big-league degree , particularly when factoring in his glove.

Given Triston Casas’ harm historical past (and his unsure restoration timeline after rupturing the patellar tendon in his left knee), the Pink Sox might goal Okamoto as an inexpensive contingency plan — particularly if the workforce doesn’t need to play a primary baseman like Alonso over $150 million on a brand new deal. 

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author masking the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Pink Sox for Boston.com, a task he has held since 2023.