Could the devil's agent end up helping Korea's national team in the World Baseball Classic (WBC)?
Japan's representative slugger, Okamoto Kazuma, held a signing ceremony with the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on the 7th (Korean time). Okamoto, who challenged Major League Baseball via posting, reportedly signed a four-year, $60 million (87 billion won) contract with Toronto.
Many Japanese media outlets attended Okamoto's press conference that day, showing intense interest. MLB.com noted, One clear thing learned about Okamoto is that he has the ability to draw huge crowds, and described, The interview room felt like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had just signed another extension. Cameras filled every available space beyond their usual positions behind the interview room. Dozens of reporters from Japan filled the press seats, outnumbering the local U.S. media.
Japan's interest centers on whether Okamoto will participate in the WBC. Okamoto, who spent his career with the prestigious Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball, entered the team as the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft. Over 11 seasons with Yomiuri, he posted a .277 batting average (3,934 at-bats, 1,089 hits) with 248 home runs, 717 RBIs and a .882 OPS. He established himself as a regular with 33 home runs in 2018, and was central league home run king three times in 2020 (31), 2021 (39) and 2023 (41). From 2018 through 2023 he was a consistent power hitter with six consecutive seasons of 30 or more home runs.
Last year in early May, he collided with a baserunner during a defensive play, injuring his left arm and missing three months. Even so, in 69 games he hit .327 (251 at-bats, 82 hits) with 15 home runs, 49 RBIs and a 1.014 OPS, showing that when healthy he can still produce at an elite level.
Okamoto also excelled as a member of the Japan national team. In the 2023 WBC, he hit .333 (18 at-bats, 6 hits) with two home runs, seven RBIs and a 1.278 OPS, contributing power to the lineup. In particular, in the final against the United States he hit a home run off Kyle Freeland, playing a leading role in the championship.
This WBC will be his first one while wearing a Major League uniform. While his club could be sensitive about the issue, Okamoto said, I have a very strong desire to fight wearing the national team uniform. It's a great honor, so I am preparing, and added, Personally I want to play, but that is something I will discuss going forward, saying he would consult with the club.
Director General Ross Atkins, who attended the signing ceremony, also said, I want to emphasize that the club views the WBC as very important and strongly supports it, and respected Okamoto's intention.
But Okamoto's agent, Scott Boras, intervened. Boras said, I'll discuss it again, putting the brakes on Okamoto's intention. He worried his client might suffer an injury in the WBC or that the WBC's aftermath could delay his adjustment to the major leagues. From Boras's always-client-first perspective, he would naturally want to prevent anything that could reduce his player's value. As a result, it is unlikely Okamoto's enthusiasm will immediately lead to WBC participation.
Coincidentally, the agent for Imai Tatsuya, who announced he would decline WBC participation, is also Boras. Imai challenged the majors after signing a three-year, $54 million (78.2 billion won) contract with the Houston Astros. Unlike Okamoto, Imai said at Houston's signing ceremony the day before (the 6th), I have no plans to participate in the WBC. It's my first year in the major leagues and there are also family issues, announcing his decision to decline the WBC. It is unclear whether Boras influenced Imai's decision not to participate. However, Okamoto left open the possibility that his decision about WBC participation could change.
Korea's national team was eliminated in the first round in the last three WBC tournaments. Led by manager Ryu Ji-hyun, they are determined to do things differently this time. The first camp in Saipan has confirmed the participation of players who ply their trade in the United States, such as Kim Hye-seong and Go Woo-seok. Will the core of the Japan national team that could threaten Korea be able to participate in the WBC?
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