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Toronto Blue Jays’ aggressive offseason strategy claimed its first roster casualty as the club finalized the arrival of Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto.
With Toronto’s 40-man roster already at capacity, the front office was forced to make a swift decision, and right-handed reliever Paxton Schultz became the odd man out.
The move underscores how seriously Blue Jays view Okamoto as a long-term solution rather than a short-term experiment.
Roster math drives a difficult call
Okamoto officially signed his four-year, $60 million deal over the weekend, leaving Toronto with little flexibility. On Sunday, Blue Jays designated Schultz for assignment, opening a spot for the 29-year-old infielder and initiating a seven-day window that will determine Schultz’s future.
During that period, Toronto can trade Schultz, release him, or attempt to pass him through waivers. Should he clear, Toronto Blue Jays would be able to option him to Triple-A Buffalo, as he does not possess the service time required to reject a minor-league assignment.
Why Schultz could attract interest
Although roster mechanics dictated the move, Schultz is not without value. The right-hander made his Major League debut last season and delivered encouraging results in a limited role.
Across 13 appearances, including two starts, he logged a 4.38 ERA while striking out 28 batters in 24.2 innings.
His ability to miss bats stands out, particularly a strikeout rate north of 10 per nine innings. That trait, combined with his age and remaining minor-league options, makes him a realistic waiver claim candidate for pitching-needy clubs.
Schultz’s professional path has been defined by adaptability. Drafted in the 14th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019, he later joined Toronto via trade and has experience both as a starter and reliever.
In the minor leagues, he accumulated more than 500 strikeouts across 152 games, a workload that speaks to his durability.
Okamoto’s arrival reshapes the roster
Toronto’s willingness to risk losing Schultz highlights the importance of Okamoto’s signing. The Japanese star is expected to take over at third base, a position that caused persistent issues for Blue Jays last season.
His offensive resume overseas features consistent power and run production, traits Toronto believes will translate to MLB competition.
With no options built into his contract, Okamoto is locked into the lineup through the 2029 season, reinforcing his status as a foundational piece.
All-in on contention
This roster decision fits a broader offseason narrative. Toronto Blue Jays have invested heavily, adding frontline starter Dylan Cease, securing KBO MVP Cody Ponce, and strengthening the bullpen with Tyler Rogers.
Clearing space for Okamoto reflects a front office focused squarely on winning now after falling short against the Los Angeles Dodgers last postseason.
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