The Toronto Blue Jays made their first big splash in their offense on Saturday.
Toronto signed Japanese free agent slugger Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million deal. Okamoto will receive a $5 million signing bonus, and the contract will have no opt-outs.
Okamoto can play third base, first base, and some left field. But he’s widely projected to be a third baseman. Following the signing, many wondered what that meant for Toronto’s pursuit of Kyle Tucker, who is the top free agent available.
Although Toronto just handed out a $60 million contract, Blue Jays insider Keegan Matheson of MLB.com doesn’t think the team is done. Instead, he believes Tucker is now even more of a fit after signing Okamoto.
“Tucker is still as clean a fit as ever, though, as an outfielder,” Matheson wrote. “The Blue Jays have long been considered one of the likeliest teams to land Tucker, and for good reason given the obvious fit and their ability to spend.
“The loss of Bichette’s bat from the lineup is significant, and while potential rebound candidates like Anthony Santander could help to some extent, there’s still room for another upgrade and the Blue Jays — fresh off that World Series heartbreak and with as much financial flexibility as we’ve ever seen in this market — should continue to push the pedal down.”
As Matheson notes, Toronto is still looking to add another bat, and Tucker fits best as the Blue Jays could use an outfielder. If Toronto signs Tucker, it would cap off one of the best offseasons in recent memory by any team.
Blue Jays Considered Favorites to Sign Tucker
Toronto lost in Game 7 of the World Series, and the Blue Jays have been aggressive this offseason.
The Blue Jays went out and signed starting pitchers Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to bolster their rotation. They also added Tyler Rogers to the bullpen. Toronto had yet to sign a bat until Saturday, when the team inked Okamoto.
But the Blue Jays had remained in the mix for Tucker, Bo Bichette, and Alex Bregman. MLB insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com named Toronto the favorite to sign Tucker.
“The consensus No. 1 free agent of the offseason has had a relatively quiet market to this point. With his visit with the Blue Jays last month at their spring facility in Florida representing the biggest news of his winter,” Feinsand wrote.
“Toronto remains the favorite to land Tucker, sources said. Though the Mets can’t be counted out. Given their need for outfield help and their general willingness to spend big when they feel it’s appropriate.”
Tucker is a four-time MLB All-Star.
Toronto Likely to Offer Tucker the Most Money
Although the Blue Jays have already handed out tons of money, Toronto may not be done.
MLB insider Buster Olney reported that the Blue Jays will or have already offered Tucker the most amount of money he will get this offseason.
“Based on the conversations I’ve had with teams and with agents, I think that the Blue Jays have the most money offered to Kyle Tucker,” Olney said on First Up on TSN on Friday. “Or they’ve indicated that. … I think the Blue Jays, by the end of the winter, whether or not Tucker signs there, will have made the highest volume offer for him. The most amount of money.”
If that is the case, it will help the Blue Jays’ chances of signing the star hitter.
Blue Jays Get Encouraging Update on Pursuit of Tucker After Landing Okamoto