The New York Yankees are intensifying their pursuit of Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto, sending scouts to the Tokyo Dome to watch the corner infielder play in today’s Japan-Korea exhibition game. The Yankees were one of at least six MLB teams in attendance, signaling that the bidding war for the Yomiuri Giants star is officially underway.
Okamoto (the main character in this international pursuit) is a high-priority target for New York, which is desperate to add a right-handed power bat and versatile infielder after the departure of key free agents.
The Tokyo Showcase: A Competitive Crowd
The exhibition game, often a key scouting opportunity for international free agents, brought out a substantial presence from Major League Baseball, with scouts lined up behind the backstop.
- Teams in Attendance: The Yankees were joined by scouts from the Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago White Sox, demonstrating the widespread interest in the 29-year-old infielder.
- The Role: Okamoto was batting cleanup and serving as the designated hitter in the exhibition game, showcasing his offensive focus and ability to handle the pressure of being the main run producer.
Okamoto’s Compelling Case
Okamoto’s production in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) is exceptional, even in a season (2025) that saw him limited by injuries:
- 2025 NPB Stats (77 Games):
- Batting Line: .322/.411/.581
- OPS: .992
- Home Runs: 15
- The Fit for the Yankees: Okamoto is a right-handed hitter with power and contact skills—a perfect profile for the Yankees, who need to improve their lineup balance and find a player who can split time at First Base and Third Base (positions often occupied by left-handed hitters or platoons in New York). His versatility also offers a backup option in the outfield.
- Scott Boras Factor: Okamoto recently hired Scott Boras as his agent, guaranteeing that his contract will be aggressively negotiated. Current projections suggest he could command a deal in the range of four years, $80 million to $90 million.
The Yankees are highly motivated to sign an NPB star, as they have not done so successfully since Masahiro Tanaka. Okamoto, the former captain of the Yomiuri Giants (the NPB equivalent of the Yankees), presents a highly appealing blend of proven production and versatility.
The Yankees are focused on signing a new cornerstone player. Would you like the latest news on their pursuit of Cody Bellinger as an alternative option?
