Mike Wilner
@wilnerness.bsky.social
Former voice of the Toronto Blue Jays, current Toronto Star baseball columnist and host of the Deep Left Field podcast (you should subscribe). Loves stand-up comedy, ‘80s music and my two incredible kids!
For my nightowls and overseasers, here’s today’s special bonus episode of Deep Left Field - all about the newest #Bluejays Kazuma Okamoto:
Who is Kazuma Okamoto and what does he bring to the Blue Jays?
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2026-01-05 · 29m
podcasts.apple.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:14 AM
For my nightowls and overseasers, here’s today’s special bonus episode of Deep Left Field - all about the newest #Bluejays Kazuma Okamoto:
THERE’S A SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE OF DEEP LEFT FIELD!!!
Today, I fill you in on newest #Bluejays Kazuma Okamoto, what he brings and how his acquisition affects the current roster and the rest of #Jays winter.
Today, I fill you in on newest #Bluejays Kazuma Okamoto, what he brings and how his acquisition affects the current roster and the rest of #Jays winter.
Who is Kazuma Okamoto and what does he bring to the Blue Jays?
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2026-01-05 · 29m
podcasts.apple.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:14 AM
Reposted by Mike Wilner
Just finished a terrific conversation with former #Bluejays all-star Justin Smoak about all kinds of things, but also about Kazuma Okamoto, who he played with in Japan in 2021.
That convo will be on the next Deep Left Field. Here's today's bonus episode all about Okamoto and what his signing means:
That convo will be on the next Deep Left Field. Here's today's bonus episode all about Okamoto and what his signing means:
Who is Kazuma Okamoto and what does he bring to the Blue Jays?
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2026-01-05 · 29m
podcasts.apple.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Just finished a terrific conversation with former #Bluejays all-star Justin Smoak about all kinds of things, but also about Kazuma Okamoto, who he played with in Japan in 2021.
That convo will be on the next Deep Left Field. Here's today's bonus episode all about Okamoto and what his signing means:
That convo will be on the next Deep Left Field. Here's today's bonus episode all about Okamoto and what his signing means:
Just finished a terrific conversation with former #Bluejays all-star Justin Smoak about all kinds of things, but also about Kazuma Okamoto, who he played with in Japan in 2021.
That convo will be on the next Deep Left Field. Here's today's bonus episode all about Okamoto and what his signing means:
That convo will be on the next Deep Left Field. Here's today's bonus episode all about Okamoto and what his signing means:
Who is Kazuma Okamoto and what does he bring to the Blue Jays?
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2026-01-05 · 29m
podcasts.apple.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Just finished a terrific conversation with former #Bluejays all-star Justin Smoak about all kinds of things, but also about Kazuma Okamoto, who he played with in Japan in 2021.
That convo will be on the next Deep Left Field. Here's today's bonus episode all about Okamoto and what his signing means:
That convo will be on the next Deep Left Field. Here's today's bonus episode all about Okamoto and what his signing means:
IT’S A SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE OF DEEP LEFT FIELD!!!
#Bluejays signed an all-star from Japan for the first time. What’s Kazuma Okamoto going to do in Toronto? Whose spot does he take? What does this do as far as Bo Bichette goes?
Listen here:
#Bluejays signed an all-star from Japan for the first time. What’s Kazuma Okamoto going to do in Toronto? Whose spot does he take? What does this do as far as Bo Bichette goes?
Listen here:
Who is Kazuma Okamoto and what does he bring to the Blue Jays?
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2026-01-05 · 29m
podcasts.apple.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:04 PM
IT’S A SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE OF DEEP LEFT FIELD!!!
#Bluejays signed an all-star from Japan for the first time. What’s Kazuma Okamoto going to do in Toronto? Whose spot does he take? What does this do as far as Bo Bichette goes?
Listen here:
#Bluejays signed an all-star from Japan for the first time. What’s Kazuma Okamoto going to do in Toronto? Whose spot does he take? What does this do as far as Bo Bichette goes?
Listen here:
Just put a special bonus episode of Deep Left Field to bed, talking about #Bluejays signing of Kazuma Okamoto, what he brings, how it affects the roster and, of course, what about Bo?
Look for it Monday!
Look for it Monday!
January 5, 2026 at 5:39 AM
Just put a special bonus episode of Deep Left Field to bed, talking about #Bluejays signing of Kazuma Okamoto, what he brings, how it affects the roster and, of course, what about Bo?
Look for it Monday!
Look for it Monday!
#Bluejays officially officialize the signing of Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million (US) contract.
The posting window closed an hour ago.
There will be a special bonus Okamoto episode of Deep Left Field for your listening pleasure on Monday!
The posting window closed an hour ago.
There will be a special bonus Okamoto episode of Deep Left Field for your listening pleasure on Monday!
January 4, 2026 at 11:05 PM
#Bluejays officially officialize the signing of Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million (US) contract.
The posting window closed an hour ago.
There will be a special bonus Okamoto episode of Deep Left Field for your listening pleasure on Monday!
The posting window closed an hour ago.
There will be a special bonus Okamoto episode of Deep Left Field for your listening pleasure on Monday!
Reposted by Mike Wilner
My thoughts about how #Bluejays signing of Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto moves around the chess pieces and doesn’t close the door on Bo Bichette:
Mike Wilner: Blue Jays keep spending with Kazuma Okamoto, but adding the Japanese star infielder doesn’t close the door on Bo Bichette
The Jays gave $60 million over four years to Okamoto, who can play third base, first base and left field, while Bichette remains a free agent.
www.thestar.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:47 AM
My thoughts about how #Bluejays signing of Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto moves around the chess pieces and doesn’t close the door on Bo Bichette:
My thoughts about how #Bluejays signing of Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto moves around the chess pieces and doesn’t close the door on Bo Bichette:
Mike Wilner: Blue Jays keep spending with Kazuma Okamoto, but adding the Japanese star infielder doesn’t close the door on Bo Bichette
The Jays gave $60 million over four years to Okamoto, who can play third base, first base and left field, while Bichette remains a free agent.
www.thestar.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:47 AM
My thoughts about how #Bluejays signing of Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto moves around the chess pieces and doesn’t close the door on Bo Bichette:
I remember making the argument back in 2012, on a four-hour radio call-in special when #Bluejays failed to sign Yu Darvish, that the entry into the Japanese market would pretty much pay for a contract like that by itself. This is a long overdue move for them.
The #BlueJays have really, really wanted a slice of the Japanese market... for baseball reasons and other reasons.
I'm betting that Okamoto will have 4-5 Japanese reporters covering him daily, all season long. Even more when camp opens in Dunedin for a bit. It's an incredible baseball market.
I'm betting that Okamoto will have 4-5 Japanese reporters covering him daily, all season long. Even more when camp opens in Dunedin for a bit. It's an incredible baseball market.
So happy to be legit in the Japanese market. This move could bode well for future signings. Japanese eyes on the Jays. Front office made a fantastic decision here.
January 3, 2026 at 9:40 PM
I remember making the argument back in 2012, on a four-hour radio call-in special when #Bluejays failed to sign Yu Darvish, that the entry into the Japanese market would pretty much pay for a contract like that by itself. This is a long overdue move for them.
My thinking:
#Bluejays presumably put Okamoto at 3B, moving Barger into a RF platoon with Straw and leaving Lukes without a job as Santander/Springer share LF & DH.
Clement plays 2B, Gimenez SS. If #Jays sign Bichette, Clement/Gimenez wind up in a platoon at 2B or SS, Bichette at the other.
#Bluejays presumably put Okamoto at 3B, moving Barger into a RF platoon with Straw and leaving Lukes without a job as Santander/Springer share LF & DH.
Clement plays 2B, Gimenez SS. If #Jays sign Bichette, Clement/Gimenez wind up in a platoon at 2B or SS, Bichette at the other.
January 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Contract terms for Okamoto with #Bluejays from Heyman, who is as tied in with Boras as anyone.
Writing a column on the signing for @thestar.com right now, will reply to your skeets when that's done!
Writing a column on the signing for @thestar.com right now, will reply to your skeets when that's done!
Kazuma Okamoto’s Jays deal: $60M, 4 years
January 3, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Contract terms for Okamoto with #Bluejays from Heyman, who is as tied in with Boras as anyone.
Writing a column on the signing for @thestar.com right now, will reply to your skeets when that's done!
Writing a column on the signing for @thestar.com right now, will reply to your skeets when that's done!
According to Jeff Passan, #Bluejays have agreed to terms with Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto.
He’s won 3 HR titles in NPB and has a career .860 OPS over there.
Best hitter to come out of Japan since Hideki Matsui, and in his prime. (Ohtani from another planet, doesn’t count)
Still room for Bo.
He’s won 3 HR titles in NPB and has a career .860 OPS over there.
Best hitter to come out of Japan since Hideki Matsui, and in his prime. (Ohtani from another planet, doesn’t count)
Still room for Bo.
January 3, 2026 at 6:56 PM
According to Jeff Passan, #Bluejays have agreed to terms with Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto.
He’s won 3 HR titles in NPB and has a career .860 OPS over there.
Best hitter to come out of Japan since Hideki Matsui, and in his prime. (Ohtani from another planet, doesn’t count)
Still room for Bo.
He’s won 3 HR titles in NPB and has a career .860 OPS over there.
Best hitter to come out of Japan since Hideki Matsui, and in his prime. (Ohtani from another planet, doesn’t count)
Still room for Bo.
Reposted by Mike Wilner
An old friend helps ring in the new year on the latest episode of Deep Left Field!
You know him, you love him, Ross Stripling is back after a long absence to talk about his old teams, #Bluejays & #Dodgers, squaring off in one of the greatest World Series ever!
Plus some Bo talk, of course.
You know him, you love him, Ross Stripling is back after a long absence to talk about his old teams, #Bluejays & #Dodgers, squaring off in one of the greatest World Series ever!
Plus some Bo talk, of course.
Former Blue Jays and Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling talks about his teams squaring off in one of the greatest World Series of all time
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2025-12-31 · 58m
podcasts.apple.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:36 PM
An old friend helps ring in the new year on the latest episode of Deep Left Field!
You know him, you love him, Ross Stripling is back after a long absence to talk about his old teams, #Bluejays & #Dodgers, squaring off in one of the greatest World Series ever!
Plus some Bo talk, of course.
You know him, you love him, Ross Stripling is back after a long absence to talk about his old teams, #Bluejays & #Dodgers, squaring off in one of the greatest World Series ever!
Plus some Bo talk, of course.
Former Blue Jays and Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling talks about his teams squaring off in one of the greatest World Series of all time
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2025-12-31 · 58m
podcasts.apple.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by Mike Wilner
What better on New Year’s Day than to spend some time with an old friend in Deep Left Field?
Ross Stripling joins me for a catch-up Long Toss With Ross! His two old teams, #Bluejays & #Dodgers, played in the World Series, after all.
He also fills us in on Tyler Rogers and what he sees in Vladdy:
Ross Stripling joins me for a catch-up Long Toss With Ross! His two old teams, #Bluejays & #Dodgers, played in the World Series, after all.
He also fills us in on Tyler Rogers and what he sees in Vladdy:
Former Blue Jays and Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling talks about his teams squaring off in one of the greatest World Series of all time
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2025-12-31 · 58m
podcasts.apple.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:44 PM
What better on New Year’s Day than to spend some time with an old friend in Deep Left Field?
Ross Stripling joins me for a catch-up Long Toss With Ross! His two old teams, #Bluejays & #Dodgers, played in the World Series, after all.
He also fills us in on Tyler Rogers and what he sees in Vladdy:
Ross Stripling joins me for a catch-up Long Toss With Ross! His two old teams, #Bluejays & #Dodgers, played in the World Series, after all.
He also fills us in on Tyler Rogers and what he sees in Vladdy:
Former Blue Jays and Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling talks about his teams squaring off in one of the greatest World Series of all time
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2025-12-31 · 58m
podcasts.apple.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:44 PM
#Bluejays busy signing broken pitchers to two-year minor-league deals, bringing in Nic Enright & Josh Winckowski, both recovering from elbow surgery. Good gambles.
They drafted Winckowski in 2016. There’s another free agent they drafted in 2016 who is out there to sign…
#BoBichette #HappyNewYear
They drafted Winckowski in 2016. There’s another free agent they drafted in 2016 who is out there to sign…
#BoBichette #HappyNewYear
January 1, 2026 at 6:32 PM
#Bluejays busy signing broken pitchers to two-year minor-league deals, bringing in Nic Enright & Josh Winckowski, both recovering from elbow surgery. Good gambles.
They drafted Winckowski in 2016. There’s another free agent they drafted in 2016 who is out there to sign…
#BoBichette #HappyNewYear
They drafted Winckowski in 2016. There’s another free agent they drafted in 2016 who is out there to sign…
#BoBichette #HappyNewYear
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Usually I send this out to my overseasers and late nighters at this time of night, but I know lots of you are still up tonight.
Hope you had a great time ringing in 2026! The Deep Left Field crew and I wish you the very best in the new year!!!
So do #Bluejays, I’m sure!
Usually I send this out to my overseasers and late nighters at this time of night, but I know lots of you are still up tonight.
Hope you had a great time ringing in 2026! The Deep Left Field crew and I wish you the very best in the new year!!!
So do #Bluejays, I’m sure!
Former Blue Jays and Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling talks about his teams squaring off in one of the greatest World Series of all time
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2025-12-31 · 58m
podcasts.apple.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:37 AM
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Usually I send this out to my overseasers and late nighters at this time of night, but I know lots of you are still up tonight.
Hope you had a great time ringing in 2026! The Deep Left Field crew and I wish you the very best in the new year!!!
So do #Bluejays, I’m sure!
Usually I send this out to my overseasers and late nighters at this time of night, but I know lots of you are still up tonight.
Hope you had a great time ringing in 2026! The Deep Left Field crew and I wish you the very best in the new year!!!
So do #Bluejays, I’m sure!
Long Toss With Ross is BACK for the New Year's Eve episode of Deep Left Field!
Ross Stripling joins me, one year into his retirement from #MLB, to talk about two of his old teams, #Bluejays and #Dodgers, and their fantastic World Series:
Ross Stripling joins me, one year into his retirement from #MLB, to talk about two of his old teams, #Bluejays and #Dodgers, and their fantastic World Series:
Former Blue Jays and Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling talks about his teams squaring off in one of the greatest World Series of all time
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2025-12-31 · 58m
podcasts.apple.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Reposted by Mike Wilner
IT’S A BRAND-NEW EPISODE OF DEEP LEFT FIELD!!!
A day early, our final show of 2025 features a long-awaited “Long Toss With Ross” segment:
Ross Stripling is back to talk #Bluejays and #Dodgers - his two old teams - and their incredible World Series!
Happy New Year from the Deep Left Field crew!
A day early, our final show of 2025 features a long-awaited “Long Toss With Ross” segment:
Ross Stripling is back to talk #Bluejays and #Dodgers - his two old teams - and their incredible World Series!
Happy New Year from the Deep Left Field crew!
Former Blue Jays and Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling talks about his teams squaring off in one of the greatest World Series of all time
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2025-12-31 · 58m
podcasts.apple.com
December 31, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Why isn’t blatant cheating and domestic abuse seen as disqualifying for the Hall of Fame for so many of my BBWAA brethren and sisteren?
With 107 ballots revealed/~25.0% known:
Beltrán 86.9%
Andruw 82.2%
-
Utley 64.5%
Félix 57.9%
Pettitte 55.1%
A-Rod 50.5%
Manny 44.9%
Abreu 42.1%
Hamels 31.8%
Rollins 28.0%
Pedroia 25.2%
Buehrle 23.4%
Wright 18.7%
K-Rod 15.0%
Vizquel 11.2%
-
Braun 3.7%
Torii 3.7%
Choo/EE/Pence 0.9%
tracker.fyi
Beltrán 86.9%
Andruw 82.2%
-
Utley 64.5%
Félix 57.9%
Pettitte 55.1%
A-Rod 50.5%
Manny 44.9%
Abreu 42.1%
Hamels 31.8%
Rollins 28.0%
Pedroia 25.2%
Buehrle 23.4%
Wright 18.7%
K-Rod 15.0%
Vizquel 11.2%
-
Braun 3.7%
Torii 3.7%
Choo/EE/Pence 0.9%
tracker.fyi
December 31, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Why isn’t blatant cheating and domestic abuse seen as disqualifying for the Hall of Fame for so many of my BBWAA brethren and sisteren?
IT’S A BRAND-NEW EPISODE OF DEEP LEFT FIELD!!!
A day early, our final show of 2025 features a long-awaited “Long Toss With Ross” segment:
Ross Stripling is back to talk #Bluejays and #Dodgers - his two old teams - and their incredible World Series!
Happy New Year from the Deep Left Field crew!
A day early, our final show of 2025 features a long-awaited “Long Toss With Ross” segment:
Ross Stripling is back to talk #Bluejays and #Dodgers - his two old teams - and their incredible World Series!
Happy New Year from the Deep Left Field crew!
Former Blue Jays and Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling talks about his teams squaring off in one of the greatest World Series of all time
Podcast Episode · Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner · 2025-12-31 · 58m
podcasts.apple.com
December 31, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Just put the new episode of Deep Left Field to bed and you're gonna love it!
A day early because we don't want the crew to have to work on New Year's, you'll hear from old pal Ross Stripling!!!
Plus your #Bluejays thoughts, questions & stories in the mailbag.
Look for it Wednesday afternoon!
A day early because we don't want the crew to have to work on New Year's, you'll hear from old pal Ross Stripling!!!
Plus your #Bluejays thoughts, questions & stories in the mailbag.
Look for it Wednesday afternoon!
December 31, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Just put the new episode of Deep Left Field to bed and you're gonna love it!
A day early because we don't want the crew to have to work on New Year's, you'll hear from old pal Ross Stripling!!!
Plus your #Bluejays thoughts, questions & stories in the mailbag.
Look for it Wednesday afternoon!
A day early because we don't want the crew to have to work on New Year's, you'll hear from old pal Ross Stripling!!!
Plus your #Bluejays thoughts, questions & stories in the mailbag.
Look for it Wednesday afternoon!