Red Sox Reportedly Pursuing Japanese Infielder Kazuma Okamoto

The Boston Red Sox are quietly reshaping their offseason blueprint. Their latest target says a lot about how they plan to balance power, cost, and risk.

First base has become a growing concern. The front office wants more thump in the lineup, so Boston is zeroing in on Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto as a potential value play.

Okamoto could stabilize the infield and lengthen the batting order. He wouldn’t come with the financial sting of a mega-deal, which is always a plus.

Red Sox Shift Focus to Cost-Effective Power at First Base

The Red Sox have made it clear: adding more offensive punch, especially on the infield dirt, is a top priority this winter. Instead of jumping into the pricey free-agent market, Boston is looking for more efficient ways to upgrade first base.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Red Sox have shown real interest in Kazuma Okamoto, a right-handed infielder who’s been a staple of Japan’s professional ranks for more than a decade. He’s not short on suitors—the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly in the mix too, which tells you he’s on plenty of radars.

Why Okamoto Fits Boston’s Current Offseason Strategy

Okamoto’s profile lines up well with what Boston seems to want: power, discipline, and defensive stability at a reasonable cost. Pete Alonso headlines the first-base market as a proven MLB slugger, but his projected price tag north of $150 million makes him a risky long-term bet for a club with several roster needs.

Okamoto, on the other hand, looks like a more budget-friendly alternative who can still make a difference offensively. Former MLB GM Jim Bowden points out he’s a plus-defensive first baseman with real power and a low strikeout rate, which tends to age well and offers stability over a contract’s length.

Kazuma Okamoto’s Track Record in Japan

At 29, Okamoto brings a wealth of experience. He’s spent 11 seasons in Japan’s top professional league, building a resume that grabs the attention of clubs searching for impact bats.

He’s a six-time All-Star in Japan, which speaks to both his durability and his steady middle-of-the-order production. His power numbers really stand out:

Injury-Shortened Season, But Continued Production

In 2025, injuries limited Okamoto to just 69 games. Even so, he still managed:

Those numbers, even over a partial season, show he can drive the ball and produce runs when he’s not at full strength. For front offices, that kind of resilience is worth noting when projecting performance in a tougher MLB schedule.

Translating Okamoto’s Game to MLB

Whenever a star moves from NPB to MLB, the big question is how their skills will transfer. In Okamoto’s case, most agree his power might not match his Japanese totals, but it should still be a real part of his game.

Scouts and analysts project him as about a 15–20 home run bat in the majors. That’s not Alonso-level thunder, but it comes with some traits that help build a strong offensive floor:

Those numbers point to a hitter with strong plate discipline, able to grind out at-bats, get on base, and avoid the empty at-bats that frustrate so many fans of modern power hitters.

Floor vs. Ceiling: Okamoto Compared to Munetaka Murakami

Boston’s also been linked to another Japanese star, Munetaka Murakami, who many think has a higher ceiling thanks to his explosive power. But while Murakami might offer flashier upside, Okamoto brings a steadier, more predictable profile and better defensive reliability.

In practical terms, Okamoto looks like a player whose floor is pretty attractive—solid power, quality at-bats, and competent, if not spectacular, first-base defense. For a team trying to manage risk, that kind of blend can matter as much as pure upside.

How Okamoto Fits into the Red Sox Depth Chart

The Red Sox aren’t operating in a vacuum at first base. Triston Casas is still a big part of their long-term plans, but his recent injury issues and uncertain recovery timeline complicate things for 2025 and beyond.

Boston seems to be eyeing Okamoto as an affordable contingency plan—someone who can start, share time, or adjust as needed depending on Casas’ health and performance. It’s not a flashy move, but sometimes, that’s exactly what a team needs.

A Strategic Alternative to a Pete Alonso Mega-Deal

By pursuing Okamoto, the Red Sox can:

This approach lets Boston shore up a critical position. At the same time, they keep enough financial room to address other needs across the roster—rotation depth, bullpen help, or maybe another bat.

The AL East is brutal, and the Red Sox are still trying to claw their way back to consistent contention. Okamoto seems like the kind of calculated, value-conscious move that tightens up a roster without wrecking future flexibility. Sometimes, you just need a smart addition instead of a splashy headline.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Red Sox reportedly have ‘big interest’ in signing Japanese infielder