New Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto has reflected on his early-season struggles with his new ballclub.
The Blue Jays signed Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract during the offseason to become the squad’s new third baseman this year. With the team losing former star slugger Bo Bichette to the New York Mets in free agency, Okamoto’s presence in the Blue Jays’ lineup was intended to help make up for what was lost with Bichette leaving the team.
However, through the first 17 games of the MLB season, Okamoto has badly struggled to adjust to the major leagues in his first season since leaving Japan’s NPB.
So far this year, Okamoto has just a .585 OPS in 65 at-bats. He has only hit two home runs, and his bWAR is listed at -0.4 so far. Not only has he not been contributing with his stick, but his defense has also been shaky at third base, as FanGraphs lists him with -2 DRS so far this year. To say it’s been a struggle to this point would be an understatement, and Okamoto knows it.
Speaking to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet, Okamoto reflected on his early-season struggles with his new team. “Big Oak” admits that he hasn’t performed up to his own standards this year, but he is confident his current performance is a blip on the radar.
“To be honest, I want to hit more. But over a long course of the season, I know there’s going to be ups and downs. That’s no different from when I was playing in Japan, too. So, I think it’s just a little lull right now. And, hopefully, I can get it going soon,” Okamoto said.
Toronto Blue Jays Need Kazuma Okamoto to Improve to Make Playoffs Again
The Blue Jays desperately need Okamoto to get better if the team is going to make the playoffs. Through the early goings of the season, the Blue Jays are tied with the Boston Red Sox for last place in the stacked American League East. The entire team has been underperforming so far this season after they came within one out of winning the 2025 World Series. For a team that spent plenty of money during the offseason to improve its squad, the results so far have been extremely disappointing, and Okamoto’s early-season struggles have been a big part of that.
Okamoto Needs to Find His Position in MLB
Okamoto has appeared in 17 games this season, with 15 appearances at third base, two appearances at first base, and one appearance as a designated hitter. At third base, Okamoto has not looked like an MLB-caliber third baseman, having had several brainfarts in the field so far. While Okamoto has looked solid at first base, he is blocked there with Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. having the position locked up.
To his end, Okamoto admitted that he has to clean up his defense, assuring fans that he is doing all the little things to improve with his glove.
“Every day I’m practicing, getting my feet wet, taking lots of reps (at third base). The positioning itself is a little bit of a work in progress. But I think once I get used to it, it will become second nature,” Okamoto said.
In the future, the Blue Jays may need to move Okamoto to DH if his struggles at third base continue. Right now, the team has George Springer slotted in at DH, but Springer is currently injured, so Okamoto can fill in there for now to keep his glove off the field. This is also Springer’s last year on his contract, so Okamoto could take his spot at DH next year if the Blue Jays choose to move on from Springer.
In the meantime, the Japanese star will continue to try his best, get back on track, and show the Blue Jays fans why he was one of the most coveted free agents from Japan this past offseason.
Kazuma Okamoto Reflects on Early-Season Struggles With Blue Jays