"Potentially play for the franchise" - MLB podcaster issues verdict on Angels’ sneaky Kazuma Okamoto advantage

The Los Angeles Angels are one of the teams interested in long-time slugger for Japan's Yomiuri Giants, Kazuma Okamoto, who was posted to MLB free agency last month, and his 45-day window to get signed ends on Jan. 4. The 29-year-old Japanese slugger is a six-time NPB All-Star with 248 career home runs.

On Tuesday, Adam Dodge on the Angels Win podcast said the Japanese slugger prefers the Angels over any other MLB franchise.

"The player [Okamoto] very clearly prefers the #Angels to any other franchise," he said. "Very excited for the possibility to potentially play for that franchise...at the end of the day, money talks."

Adam added that if the offers are close between Angels and other teams, he will side with the team from LA.

This puts the Angels above several other teams who are interested in his free agency, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Chicago Cubs.

The Angels need a third baseman next season, with Anthony Rendon possibly missing the 2026 season due to left hip surgery. Rendon owes $38 million next season as he enters the final year of the seven-year, $245 million deal. Kazuma will be an ideal replacement given his power-hitting abilities.

Diamondbacks named potential landing spot for Kazuma Okamoto

With only a couple of weeks remaining in the end of 45-day window of Kazuma Okamoto, his free agency is heating up. MLB insider Jon Heyman listed the Angels, Pirates, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Cubs, and Diamondbacks as the six teams that could end up signing Okamoto to a contract.

The same teams are also interested in free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, so the future of Okamoto will largely depend on where the former World Series champion heads next.

The Diamondbacks need corner infielders. Currently, Jordan Lawler is projected to be their third baseman, with Blaze Alexander also an option to go with. However, the resume of both of these youngsters falls short of Okamoto, who has averaged .274 with 277 home runs and a .856 OPS over 1,377 career games in NPB.

Edited by Krutik Jain