Okamoto deal doesn't close the door on Bo Bichette's future with the Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays have finally landed a bat this offseason and the number one question everyone seems to be asking is, "now what?" While the fanbase should be ecstatic that Toronto is bringing Kazuma Okamoto into the fold, there's also the worry that it means one of the franchise favourites won't be returning to the team in 2026.

However, now that the contract numbers have been reported, it's safe to say that the Blue Jays, from a money perspective, should still very much be in the conversation to resign Bo Bichette.

Okamoto deal doesn't close the door on Bo Bichette's future with the Blue Jays

Reporter Jon Heyman wrote on X (formerly twitter) that the Blue Jays' deal with Okamoto is for four-years and $60 million. A $15 million annual average value, which is lower than this year’s qualifying offer.

After fellow Japanese players Munetaka Murakami (two-years $34 million) and Tatsuya Imai (three-years $54 million) signed with the White Sox and Astros respectively, the Blue Jays are getting their player for a similarly team friendly deal. While $20 million a season is nothing to sneeze at, it's much less than what superstars Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger and Alex Bregman were asking for.

Okamoto's versatility can play a key role on the Blue Jays in 2026. While he'll likely be the everyday third baseman, a spot where he has been a Gold Glove award winner in Nippon Professional Baseball, he's also been an above average defender at first base, and has logged time in the outfield. Third just seems to be the position that makes the most sense giving the current roster configuration.

However, Okamoto, 29, hits from the right side which could also factor into how the Blue Jays utilize their platoons in the outfield as they have several left handed options out there, including, Addison Barger (who could also spell Okamoto at third), Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, and Daulton Varsho.

The Blue Jays, already running a franchise high payroll, are likely nearing their spending limit. While they have never come out and put a hard cap on what they plan to spend, they have never breached the $300 million threshold, and any further moves, including a deal for Bichette, would certainly put them over that number. But they also have to factor in several big contracts coming off the books after 2026. Varsho, George Springer, Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber are all free agents. José Berrios could also opt-out of his contract. That's potentially $86 million coming off the books.

The Blue Jays must be taking that into consideration as they make moves this winter, and it's a reason why they shouldn't be considered out of the Bichette sweepstakes just yet. They likely won't be able to get more than one of the four big free agents listed above, but they should have room, both on the payroll and in the lineup, to add one of them. The most obvious fit would be Bichette.

Having him play second every day is currently the biggest opening. While Ernie Clement could be an every day guy there, his splits in 2025 (.900 OPS vs lefties, .622 vs righties) shows there's clearly a better fit for him to come into games, or start versus southpaws. Signing Bichette would allow them to deploy an infield of Okamoto, Andrés Giménez and Bichette against righties and Okamoto, Bichette and Clement against lefties.

Bichette has been recently linked to other playoff contending teams in recent days such as the Yankees, the Dodgers and the Cubs and it feels like the Okamoto signing could get talks heating up again for those who were possibly pursuing both Okamoto and Bichette. While Okamoto should bring a bring presence to the lineup as a career .277/.361/.521 hitter in Japan, it's hard to replace a guy who has led the league in hits twice and almost did it again in 2025 had it not been for an injury.

Bichette, drafted and developed by the Blue Jays, has become one of the most recognizable players of this era of Toronto's franchise and the Blue Jays should still be able to get a deal done before spring training rolls around.