Market for NPB infielder Kazuma Okamoto heating up

The posting window for Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto is set to close at 5:00 PM on January 4. His market is starting to heat up as the deadline approaches.

According to Francys Romero of BeisbolFR, the Angels, Padres and Pirates are among the teams to have interest in Okamoto. The Pirates interest has been well documented, with Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporting that the Pirates and Okamoto have had several virtual meetings.

Okamoto has been one of the more consistent power hitters in Nippon Professional Baseball. He had hit at least 30 homers from 2018 through 2023 before slumping to 27 homers in 2024. Despite missing approximately half the season due to a left elbow injury, Okamoto had a strong season offensively in 2025, posting a .327/.416/.598 batting line with 15 homers and 21 doubles over 293 plate appearances for the Yomiuri Giants.

Kazuma Okamoto's defensive home could depend on where he signs

One of the biggest questions with Okamoto is where he will play defensively. While he has primarily been a third baseman in Japan, he has extensive experience at first and has seen time in the outfield. 

Ultimately, his future defensive home depends on where he signs. The Angels have an opening at third as Yoan Moncada is a free agent and the oft-injured Anthony Rendon is likely to retire. The same would be the case in Pittsburgh after Ke'Bryan Hayes was sent to Cincinnati at the 2025 trade deadline. 

That would not be the case in San Diego. Manny Machado is entrenched at the hot corner and would push Okamoto across the diamond. A fit at first would be even more likely if the Padres trade infielder Jake Cronenworth during the offseason. It is also possible that Okamoto could see time in the outfield if he signs with the Padres, especially as KBO infielder Sung Mun Song will reportedly get a look on the grass.

Okamoto will be expected to be a solid run producer wherever he signs. Although his posting window will close on Sunday, his market is starting to heat up.