Red Sox rival signs Japanese star — and it could help Boston’s chances of Alex Bregman reunion

The Blue Jays continued their pattern of aggressive offseason shopping Saturday. This time, though, their actions might actually help the Red Sox.

Toronto has agreed to a deal with star Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto ahead of his posting deadline, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. It’s reportedly a straight four-year, $60 million contract with no opt-outs. Okamoto, a 29-year-old who has logged the majority of his playing time at third base and first base in Japan, seems likely to take over as Toronto’s regular third baseman with Vlad Guerrero Jr. penciled in at first base and Addison Barger and Davis Schneider both serving utility roles.

The Red Sox, who entered the winter with uncertainty at both corner infield spots due to Alex Bregman hitting free agency, were linked to Okamoto throughout his process but a source said late last month that the club had just “kicked the tires” on him. The need lessened when Boston swung a deal with the Cardinals to acquire Willson Contreras to play first base. Third base remains a question mark with Bregman, who remains available, as the clear top choice to return in that position, and the Okamoto signing likely helps Boston’s chances.

Reports in the last couple weeks had linked the Blue Jays to Bregman, with a report from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand earlier this week citing Toronto and Arizona as the teams that “may be” the two most aggressive on him. The Diamondbacks are known to be involved in the market for Bregman, who lives in Arizona in the offseason, and Toronto was somewhat of a surprise entrant. With third base filled in Toronto, it would appear there’s one less motivated suitor for Bregman’s services.

The Red Sox remain engaged with Bregman and his agents at Boras Corporation, sources said Saturday, but are also assessing potential alternatives as they have been all winter. One is longtime Blue Jay Bo Bichette, whose path back to Toronto isn’t blocked by the Okamoto move. Bregman and Bichette are the top two infielders remaining on the free agent market. On Friday, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported the Red Sox had “an aggressive offer” out to Bregman, who is thought to be prioritizing length of deal after settling for a short-term market a year ago.

The club, like many of its counterparts, believes the market for other top hitters might move now that the Okamoto bidding has ended.

Okamoto, a veteran of 11 NPB seasons with the Yomiuri Giants, has hit .277 with 248 home runs over 1,074 games in Japan. He’s the third Japanese star to sign with a major league team in recent weeks, joining fellow infielder Munetaka Murakami (White Sox) and starter Tatsuya Imai (Astros). The Blue Jays, seemingly motivated by their crushing loss in Game 7 of the World Series, have had a very busy offseason, signing starters Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce as well as reliever Tyler Rogers.

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