US EditionOkamoto says daughter picked Blue Jays logo, helping steer his $60M decision
Okamoto’s four-year, $60 million deal adds power to the Blue Jays lineup after seven straight 25+ home run seasons, influenced by his daughter’s preference for the team logo.
- Over the weekend, the Toronto Blue Jays introduced Kazuma Okamoto, the 29-year-old infielder who signed a four-year, US$60-million contract after his daughter chose the team among all 30 MLB logos.
- Seeking more power, Toronto added Okamoto to a lineup that led the major leagues in batting average and on-base percentage but was middle of the road in home runs, following recent signings like Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers.
- Over an 11-year run in Nippon Professional Baseball, Kazuma Okamoto was a six-time all-star with the Yomiuri Giants, hitting 25+ homers in seven straight seasons and batting.327 last year despite an elbow injury.
- Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said the club "definitely got better today" and the signing adds a posting fee $10.875 million owed to the Yomiuri Giants, increasing Toronto's recent off-season spending.
- With Toronto's regular-season opener set for March 27, Kazuma Okamoto is expected at third base but can also play first base and left field, while Toronto faces roster decisions with several big-name free agents available.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Okamoto says daughter picked Blue Jays logo, helping steer his $60M decision
Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto got some help from his family when he was considering which Major League Baseball team might be the best fit for his services. “(I) put all 30 logos of MLB teams in front of (my) daughter and said, ‘Which one do you like the most?'” he said Tuesday via interpreter Gino […]
New Blue Jay Okamoto says daughter's logo choice helped seal the deal
In what may be the most endearing free agency decision in baseball history, Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto let his daughter weigh in on his career choice, and her artistic eye played a factor in his decision to join Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays.
Translated by Fernando Battaglini. The Toronto Blue Jays have signed infielder Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract. The Blue Jays continued their busy offseason by adding one of Japan's best hitters to an already potent lineup. Okamoto has proven capable of playing third base, first base, and even occasionally the corner outfield positions, and will likely start at third base in Toronto, which would shift Ernie Clement to second …
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