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Who will go first, Ketel Marte or Kazuma Okamoto?
The Toronto Blue Jays are keen on making a return to the World Series. After dropping Game 7 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, they want to prove that their appearance on MLB‘s biggest stage wasn’t a fluke. Through free agency or trade, the Blue Jays have been linked to many different position players. Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Kazuma Okamoto, Ketel Marte, Bo Bichette, Yoan Moncada, and CJ Abrams could all help them get there.
And now, with the new year hours away, and the looming deadline of the two Japanese free agents’ posting window, clarity is coming soon.
Toronto Blue Jays Could See Ripple Effect of Arizona Diamondbacks Decision
For starters, there is an update on Marte’s situation with the Arizona Diamondbacks. According to GM Mike Hazen, things will be wrapping up in short order.
“We’re very likely to put an end to this shortly,” Hazen said via MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. “This isn’t going to continue to linger. We need to focus on our offseason. Again, my gut this whole time was that [a trade of Marte] wasn’t going to happen, and I think it seems likely that that’s the case and we want to focus on other things we need to do.”
The pressure is on. Hazen publicly coming out with this statement could be to solidify that everyone still engaged in trade talks with the Diamondbacks is serious about it. They want resolution, not semantics, so that they can focus on other roster issues.
“The Diamondbacks also would like to add to their offense,” Gilbert wrote. “Specifically with a right-handed-hitting first base/DH type. That’s another reason they want to wrap up the Marte situation soon.”
“We’re going to need to start focusing on our position-player group at some point a little more specifically,” Hazen said via Gilbert. “That’s the other reason to finalize what we’re doing with other players, so we have a little more direction on what we can do and what it might look like.”
Once the Marte situation is cleared up, the Diamondbacks can focus on other areas of need. But the ripple effect of Marte staying is greater than that.
Marte would be an incredible asset for any team that acquires him. In 2025, he recorded 28 home runs, 136 hits, and 72 RBIs in 126 games.
How Marte’s Situation Affects the Toronto Blue Jays & Kazuma Okamoto
If Marte stays, a domino effect begins with the Boston Red Sox. They are rumored to be big players in Marte’s market. However, if they are forced to pivot, they could push more for Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals.
If Donovan can’t be acquired, they likely push harder for Bichette and/or Bregman. And then there is Okamoto.
Okamoto has been linked to several teams, including the San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, the Red Sox, and the Blue Jays. If the Red Sox don’t get Marte, they become a bigger threat to sign Okamoto.
According to Brian Murphy of MLB.com, Okamoto and Tatsuya Imai are meeting with teams over the next few days to iron out a contract. This is another scenario that appears to be heading toward a quick resolution.
Imai’s 45-day window closes on Friday, January 2nd. Okamoto’s 45-day window closes two days later, on January 4th.
Okamoto possesses a great deal of power at the plate. Over the last three seasons, he has hit a combined 41, 27, and 15 home runs. In 2025, he played only 77 games, compared with 140 and 143 in the two prior seasons. He recorded 140 hits in 2023, 150 in 2024, and 87 in 2025.
What’s Going on With Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker, and the Blue Jays?
At this point, things appear to be at a standstill. MLB insider Jeff Passan took to Threads to explain what is happening with the remaining big bats in an AMA.
“Same as what’s going on with Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman and Cody Bellinger: What they believe they’re worth has not been matched by teams,” Passan wrote on December 31st, 2025. “At this point, it’s reasonable to think at least one will slip between the cracks and go for a shorter-term, opt-out-heavy deal we’ve seen work for Pete Alonso, Matt Chapman and, for pitchers, Blake Snell.”
“If that sort of deal would work for anyone, it might be Bichette, who could have a big year, show he’s healthy and hit the market again at 28 years old.”
An opt-out-heavy deal would definitely work for the Blue Jays. Yes, they are focused on winning now. However, they can’t let one of the top volume hitters in all of the MLB walk away to another club, let alone a rival like the New York Yankees or Red Sox. Even signing Okamoto won’t make up for the lost offense of Bichette.
As for Tucker, he appears to be in a similar boat. If he wants to sign a long-term agreement, the Blue Jays make a lot of sense. If he prefers an opt-out-heavy deal, another suitor clouds the situation for Toronto.
It’s All Connected to Marte and Okamoto
One way or another, a resolution will come soon. At this point, with Okamoto’s looming deadline, he will likely go first. However, with how quickly their trades have materialized, the Red Sox could push their chips in and acquire Marte or Donovan.
The ball should start rolling soon. Once it does, there should be a flurry of action as teams pivot to the next option on their lists.
