Blue Jays Sign Kazuma Okamoto

As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Blue Jays have signed Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto. It’s a four-year, $60 million contract with no opt-outs, per reports from Jon Heyman and Mark Feinsand. There is also no word yet on whether or how this impacts the return of shortstop Bo Bichette, who is reportedly willing to move to either second or third. The Cubs had been named among the teams in the mix for Okamoto, but the fit was rather dubious due to their incumbent corner infielders and DH.

Okamoto is projected to slot in at third base for the Jays, who could move Ernie Clement to the keystone with Andres Gimenez taking short. Davis Schneider can also play on the infield as needed. Bichette returning would obviously change the calculus here, and it would also further strengthen a Toronto roster that is being built to make another run at a title.