The Toronto Blue Jays kicked off the new year by adding a new bat in Kazuma Okamoto. The right-handed slugger from Japan has spent the past 11 seasons in NPB playing for the Yomiuri Giants, where he’s tallied 248 home runs over 1074 games, and now joins Toronto on a four-year deal worth $60 million.

It’s a sizeable chunk of change for a bat that hasn’t played stateside yet, but if the power from Okamoto is hard to ignore, never mind the fact that the 29-year-old is a versatile athlete who can play multiple positions.

With Okamoto joining the organization, where does he fit into the current roster picture?

Okamoto has spent the majority of his career split between third base and first base, with the nod going to the hot corner when it comes to more innings. He’s held his own at third, authoring a .977 fielding percentage at the spot and has also earned the NPB equivalent of a Gold Glove Award.

Right now, the Jays do have an open spot at third base for the Japanese product to slot into.

Addison Barger and Ernie Clement split most of their time at the hot corner last season for the Jays, but Barger was also utilized in right field throughout the year, and Clement spent time at every infield position in 2025 due to his utility outlook. Okamoto also likely becomes the backup first baseman should Vladimir Guerrero Jr. become hurt or need a day off.

Moving Barger to be a full-time right fielder seems like a logical move, one that gives Jose Bautista vibes. The 26-year-old boasts a triple-digit arm that plays well in the corner outfield, and he’s held his own defensively at the spot with solid routes and feel for the position, so giving him some run to really lock down the position makes sense here.

For Clement, he would slot over to be the club’s second baseman, and Andres Gimenez would become the club’s shortstop moving forward. Bichette’s departure opens this hole for Clement to move over, and if Bichette does return, there will need to be some further roster juggling if the Jays want to give Clement regular at-bats.

But for now, Okamoto to the hot corner, Barger to right field, and Clement to second base, with suitable options for replacements whenever someone needs a day off or the pitching matchups require some new faces in the lineup.

The Toronto Blue Jays boast a ton of outfielders: Barger, George Springer, Daulton Varsho, Anthony Santander, Joey Loperfido, Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider, and Myles Straw can all play in the grass, and that’s not including borderline roster names like Jonatan Clase.

Okamoto boasts some experience in left field, and overall, this fit is more complicated given the current roster construction. The club already boasts a logjam when it comes to putting players on the field heading into 2026, and that mostly starts with Santander and his fit.

He likely isn’t finding a spot on the bench given his contract hit, and he and Springer will flip-flop between the DH spot and either left or right field, regardless of where they put Okamoto. Varsho is the centre fielder moving forward, while Lukes, Straw, Loperfido, and Schneider are likely on the bench, while Barger either plays third base or right field. One of Schneider or Loperfido might have to start the year in Triple-A if the Jays want more of a dedicated infielder, but Schneider can play second base when needed.

Assuming Okamoto plays left field in this scenario, it would be Varsho in centre, and then a split of Santander/Springer in right field. Lukes will see a decrease in playing time, which is unfortunate after a strong 2025 season, and Loperfido will be blocked from regular playing time. Barger becomes the club’s third baseman.

The Jays could clear some of this logjam by moving Lukes or Loperfido, which might benefit either player to give them an opportunity for everyday playing time, but the fact that Springer, Straw (club option), and Varsho could depart next winter while Clase is out of options heading into this season makes the decision on who to keep or let go tougher when the Jays future outfield picture is kept in mind.

Signing Okamoto to a $60 million contract is a sizeable financial investment for a team that is already past the CBT, but pundits think the Jays still have room to spend and are looking for another bat before Spring Training comes into full view.

Bringing back Bichette seems like a favourable move, slotting him into either shortstop or second base while Okamoto remains at third, which puts Clement back on the bench. Signing Kyle Tucker is also something the Jays have kicked the tires on, with the right fielder visiting the Jays Player Development Complex in Dunedin last month. Bringing in Tucker also likely puts Okamoto at third base heading into 2026, with Barger likely being the casualty for playing time here while Clement sides over to second (with Bichette not returning).

Signing both Bichette and Tucker at this point seems far-fetched, and even adding one name into the mix likely means multiple players (Lukes, Schneider, Straw, Loperfido, etc.) are being traded to lessen the logjam for playing time. That’s a situation Ross Atkins and co. will need to figure out when the time comes, but it seems like the Jays are still in the market for at least one big name.

Given the current roster, Okamoto makes the most sense playing third base, while Barger moves to right field and Clement becomes the club’s second baseman moving forward. Further transactions could complicate the matter and force Atkins and manager John Schneider back to the drawing board, but for now, Okamoto at the hot corner seems like the logical play.

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