Cubs are officially in on Kazuma Okamoto as clock starts ticking on posting window

Kazuma Okamoto's posting window is set to close on Sunday, and while the impression was that the bidding may have been down to the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels, and Pittsburgh Pirates, a report out of Japan suggests otherwise. Okamoto has traveled stateside and has lined up several meetings this week, including with the Chicago Cubs.

Beyond the Cubs, Padres, and Pirates, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox are also expected to meet with the 29-year-old third baseman.

Cubs set to meet with Kazuma Okamoto as they explore non-Alex Bregman options

Considering the interest the Cubs have in Alex Bregman, it stood to reason they would also have interest in Kazuma Okamoto. Adding Okamoto would give the Cubs a third baseman with a higher offensive upside than Matt Shaw, while allowing Shaw to slide into a utility role.

There is a question of whether Okamoto will eventually slide over to first base. It's part of the reason why Okamoto was not as clear a defensive fit for the Cubs as Bregman, considering the All-Star remains an above-average fielder at the hot corner.

With Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, and Nico Hoerner all free agents next offseason, it's possible the Cubs aren't too concerned with the defensive fit in 2026. Not to mention, Okamoto's arrival may push Moises Ballesteros to be included in trade talks, creating an opening at DH in the starting lineup.

Unlike Munetaka Murakami, with a power profile that has drawn comparisons to Kyle Schwarber, Okamoto has a more refined approach. For example, Okamoto struck out 11.3% of the time in 293 plate appearances last season. Meanwhile, Murakami struck out 28.6% of the time in 224 plate appearances.

Murakami's raw power does offer him a higher ceiling, but Okamoto's approach allows him to have a higher floor. Okamoto likely wouldn't put up the same power numbers he did in Japan, often flirting with 30 home runs each season he's been healthy, but his contact-oriented approach would be a fit for a Cubs' offense that became boom-or-bust last offseason.

Of note, Okamoto's posting window is two days after Tatsuya Imai. If the Cubs are the team that signs Imai before Friday, that likely would take them out of the bidding for Okamoto (and Bregman). If Imai isn't in the cards for the Cubs, then it would seem clear that the team will pivot to a direction where they sign an impact bat like Okamoto or Bregman before trading for a cost-controlled starting pitcher.