Blue Jays on the short list for Japanese free agent Kazuma Okamoto as deadline nears

More than a handful of teams are in the mix to acquire Japanese free agent Kazuma Okamoto who has until January 4th to sign with a Major League team. Ahead of that deadline the Toronto Blue Jays are one of several teams who are meeting with Okamoto this week while he is in North America.

Reports earlier this week indicated that Okamoto's decision was coming down to just two teams, but it appears there are still more in the mix, including Toronto.

Blue Jays on the short list for Japanese free agent Kazuma Okamoto as deadline nears

Okamoto, a Scott Boras client, will be 30 in June and is regarded as the second best position player posted from Japan this season. Depending on the skill set you prefer, he may actually be the best of that group as Okamoto gives team's a more well rounded approach at the plate, while Munetaka Murakami is a pure power guy. The 26-year-old Murakami signed with the Chicago White Sox earlier this month, paving the way for teams who missed out on him to refocus their attention on Okamoto.

That includes the Blue Jays, as well as the Cubs, Red Sox, Diamondbacks, Padres, Angels and Pirates, who have been looking for either an infielder or an outfielder. While it appears their preferred choices are of someone who has MLB experience, namely Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette or Alex Bregman, Okamoto would also fit the Blue Jays' needs. He's been one of the most consistent hitters in Japan since becoming a member of the Yomiuri Giants in 2015 at 19-years-old. He has a career .277/.361/.522 slash line and has hit 30 home runs in all but two of his 11 season's in the NPB.

The Blue Jays will take that contact ability every day, along with the patience and pitch selection. Okamoto produced an 11.3% walk rate with an 11.3% strikeout rate this past season. He also doesn't raise a ton of concerns with his defensive abilities and has played the corner infield positions as well as logging time in the outfield. With that experience under his belt, Okamoto would fit those needs for the Blue Jays, the only issue seems to be the timing of it all.

The Blue Jays likely want to know where things stand with Bichette, Tucker and Bregman before landing on Okamoto, but they may not get a decision on any of those guys before Okamoto's deadline. Murakami signed a two-year deal with the White Sox for $34 million, which is a very team friendly deal and if Okamoto is looking for a similar deal, it should be within Toronto's wheelhouse regardless of whether they would still want to bring in any of those big names listed above.