Blue Jays’ success with Kazuma Okamoto could lead them back to Japan in free agency

As free agency approaches, teams are strategizing what improvements they can make to their rosters. Every year, there are players from Japan that are looking to transition over to the MLB. Notable names include Kazuma Okamoto, Munetaka Murakami, Tatsuya Imai, Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and of course, Shohei Ohtani.

This year, there are three names that are looking to come over: Teruaki Sato, Kaima Taira, and Hiromi Itoh. Last year, the Blue Jays were able to sign Kazuma Okamoto who has gone on to set a franchise rookie record for home runs.

One hitter and two pitchers that could potentially make a big impact in the Majors

Teruaki Sato is a big bat that could provide insurance for Guerrero Jr.

Sato is the only hitter available coming over from Japan this offseason, but is the best bat available. Sato could not have chosen a better time to have the best season of his career. In 2026, Sato is hitting .322/.399/.635 with 35 HR, 92 RBI, and 6 SB while posting an elite 208 wRC+.

Sato's success this season has been driven by an emphasis to elevate the ball more and being more disciplined at the plate. According to FanGraphs, his 32.3 GB% is the second-lowest figure of his career, and his 23.2 LD% is a career-high for him. His 44.5 FB% is up from 2025, but it is his third-highest FB% in his career. Sato is drawing walks at a career-high 11.3% and striking out 25.8%, down from 27.3% in 2025.

While Sato has made tangible gains to his batted ball profile and plate discipline, the underlying numbers suggest he has been slightly lucky this season. His .386 BABIP is a career-high by a wide margin when it has been in the .315-.343 range, and his 67.4 Contact% is the second-lowest mark of his career. For comparison, his Contact% would rank seventh-lowest in the Majors, tied with Brandon Lowe and Lowe's BABIP is .321.

For the Blue Jays, Sato would provide Guerrero Jr. some protection in the lineup as a left-handed slugger, though expectations would have to be tempered initially. Hitters that transition over from NPB need time to adjust to higher velocity and spin, and different pitching philosophies. In Japan, Okamoto's career K% was 17.7%, but in his first season in the Majors, that has skyrocketed to 29.7%, which ranks in the 10th-percentile.

Defensively, Sato's fit on the team is murky. Sato has played third base and right field in Japan, though he is better suited for right field. Okamoto is locked in at third base for another three seasons, and Barger would occupy right field when healthy. Moving Sato to left field would not be getting the most out of his strong arm.

Kaima Taira is a unique pitcher that deserves more attention

Tarik Skubal will be the top pitcher available in free agency and it will cost a pretty penny for his services. For teams that may not want to shop at the top of the market, perhaps they would be interested in a 5-foot-8 swiss-army pitcher who can also throw up to 100 mph?

Taira has done it all in Japan, he has experience as a reliever, closer, and starter. In his first four seasons, he was a reliever. The following season he was a full-time starter, and then split time starting and relieving the following two seasons. This season, he was moved back into the starting rotation.

Taira currently has a 1.36 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 132 innings while recording 124 strikeouts. Taira's success has been driven by his elite ability to generate ground balls and limit home runs. His 48.7 GB% is actually down from 2025 (51.9%) but would rank seventh in the Majors, ahead of Yoshinobu Yamamoto (48.4%). His 3.2 HR/FB% would rank first in the Majors by a wide margin, ahead of Chris Sale (6.5%)

Despite Taira's lack of height, he is able to generate elite velocity with his elite extension down the mound. He sits deep into his back leg, allowing him to generate force down the mound, which allows his pitches to have extra perceived velocity. Taira also possesses an eight-pitch mix which keeps hitters off balance.

Taira's unique profile makes him an interesting target, but his desires about his role will ultimately dictate the level of interest he garners.

Hiromi Itoh is a durable starter that has become a rarity

Itoh is the other pitcher that is expected to be posted this offseason. Like Taira, Itoh is not a very tall pitcher at 5-foot-9, but he still dominated in 2025. He put up a 2.52 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 196.2 innings while striking out 195, and won the Sawamura Award, the NPB equivalent of the Cy Young award.

In 2026 however, Itoh's numbers have taken a step back, with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP across 150.2 innings with 143 strikeouts. There's been a combination of Itoh regressing to career norms and being unlucky this year.

In 2025, his K-BB% was a career high 20.8, but that number has fallen back to 17.2% in 2026. Itoh is allowing more contact than usual as his opposing batting average is .265 compared to his usual .225-.245 range. His .327 BABIP is the highest of his career as well.

While Taira possesses elite velocity, Itoh is more of a finesse pitcher as his fastball sits 92 mph. Itoh does a good job with limiting walks as his 5.2 BB% this season would be tied for fourth-lowest in the Majors along with Bryan Woo and Braxton Ashcraft.

What separates Itoh from Taira is Itoh is a for sure starting pitcher. Itoh is a durable starter who has made at least 23 starts in his six-year career, providing at least 146 innings each season.

For the Blue Jays, Itoh would be a great target for the rotation. His durability makes him reliable, something the Blue Jays are looking for given the injuries to the rotation.

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