Blue Jays planning to re-explore Japanese market this offseason

Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Blue Jays planning to re-explore Japanese market this offseason

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Sep 30, 2026 2:03 PM ET

According to Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro, the team plans to re-explore the Japanese market this offseason. The Blue Jays will also be sending a contingency plan to Japan in the offseason, and Shapiro plans to travel there as they look to bolster the lineup.

The Blue Jays have already been successful with recruiting Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto, who had a stellar rookie campaign this season with 33 home runs. On Sept. 8, he became the fifth Japanese-born player to hit 30 home runs, earning a noteworthy milestone achievement.

Signing Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract last offseason was a massive win. While the team's offense and power output took a significant step backward this season, Okamoto was the driving force behind the team's power. All things considered, his success has persuaded the team to continue to find more Japanese talent.

While the Blue Jays are targeting Seiya Suzuki from the Chicago Cubs as well, the team has also been eyeing two big Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) stars who are expected to be on the market this winter and have already gained significant attention from MLB teams.

Mark Shapiro says the #BlueJays will send a contingency to Japan this offseason and he may travel there, too, as they look to expand their presence (both baseball and business).

He added that the Japanese market will obviously be something they explore again this winter.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) September 30, 2026

Japanese talent the Blue Jays are exploring this winter

Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato and right-handed pitcher Kaima Taira are two talents that would help enhance the Blue Jays' needs ahead of the 2027 season. Sato would provide the Blue Jays with an elite left-handed power bat who is coming off a dominant 37-home-run season with an explosive 1.012 OPS for the Hanshin Tigers.

With Taira, he is expected to be one of the top arms on the market alongside Tarik Skubal, who is an elite starter and reliever. But as a starter, he led all of NPB with a 1.36 ERA, serving as a commanding presence for the Saitama Seibu Lions.

The Blue Jays would benefit from adding his arm, as he would provide high-upside pitching depth to the rotation as well as a bullpen safety net. His versatility makes him an intriguing option to add as the team faced a heavily taxed pitching staff this season. While the Blue Jays are expected to get Cody Ponce, Bowden Francis and Jose Berrios back in 2027, you can never have enough pitching, and this past season proves it.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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