Rangers Could Target Highly Coveted International Free Agent
The Texas Rangers may look overseas for lineup help next season, with a prominent Japanese star emerging as a potential fit.
After two disappointing seasons and with ownership reducing payroll, Texas must find productive players on affordable contracts. One option appears to be 29-year-old Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto, who has been connected to the Rangers, per Jeff Passan. He’s the second Japanese-born player the club has been tied to this offseason, following Munetaka Murakami.
With the recent success of international talent in MLB, Okamoto could provide exactly what the Rangers need: a reliable, contact-producing bat.
Turning to the International Market
Unlike Murakami, Okamoto seems to align perfectly with Texas’ needs and financial constraints. At 29, he is expected to command a more reasonable contract—an important factor given the team’s tighter budget and its competitive window beginning to close. He could offer both the affordability and contract length general manager Chris Young is targeting.
Despite an elbow injury limiting him to 69 games last season with the Yomiuri Giants, Okamoto posted an impressive .327/.416/.598 slash line with 15 homers and 21 doubles. Those numbers surpassed his career line of .277/.361/.521, which would translate to a wRC+ roughly 50% above league average, per FanGraphs.
Primarily a third baseman in Nippon Professional Baseball, Okamoto is listed as a corner infielder and could help stabilize Texas’ infield, particularly with Jake Burger and Josh Jung needing bounce-back seasons after disappointing 2025 campaigns.
Another major selling point: his profile resembles that of Seiya Suzuki when he came to MLB. Suzuki, who signed with the Cubs at age 27, has hit .269/.346/.472 with 87 home runs. If Okamoto provided comparable production, he could instantly energize a Rangers offense badly in need of consistency.
Several clubs are expected to pursue him, including the Mets, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, and Pirates. Once Okamoto is officially posted on Nov. 19, he’ll have 45 days to sign with an MLB team.
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