Kazuma Okamoto's WBC decision is a massive gamble for the Blue Jays' $60M investment

Jan 26, 2026 (1:43 PM)

Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Kazuma Okamoto joining Samurai Japan for the 2026 World Baseball Classic is the nightmare scenario that Ross Atkins was praying to avoid.

The ink is barely dry on his four-year, $60 million contract, and the Blue Jays' newest slugger is already risking it all.

Toronto just committed serious capital to solve their third base black hole, expecting Okamoto to be the everyday anchor.

Now, instead of acclimating to the Dunedin complex and learning his new teammates, he will be ramping up to 100% intensity in March.

The specter of the "WBC Injury Curse" is always looming, but this situation feels particularly fragile.

Okamoto is coming off a 2025 campaign where he played just 69 games due to a significant elbow injury.

Despite the shortened season, he still slashed an elite .327/.416/.598 for the Yomiuri Giants.

His 15 homers in that limited sample prove the power is real, but the durability remains a massive question mark.

Sending a player with a fresh elbow concern into the highest-intensity tournament on the planet is playing with fire.

The fans are already sweating, remembering how quickly a dream offseason can turn into a nightmare IL stint.

If Okamoto gets hurt playing for his country, the Blue Jays are left with a massive hole in the middle of the order.

He is supposed to be the protection for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., forcing pitchers to attack the zone.

A healthy Okamoto changes the entire complexion of the lineup, adding a legitimate 30-homer threat at the hot corner.

But if he returns to Florida with a sore arm, the front office will look incompetent for not intervening.

National pride is undeniable, but from a franchise perspective, this is an unnecessary roll of the dice.

The AL East is an arms race, and Toronto cannot afford to lose their primary offseason acquisition before Opening Day.

Let's just hope he comes back with a Gold Medal and, more importantly, a clean bill of health.

Previously on Toronto Baseball Insider

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