Pirates' free agency dream officially dies after brutal Kazuma Okamoto decision

We thought we had a handle on the Kazuma Okamoto market as his decision day (Jan. 4) loomed. We thought we understood that it was going to come down to a choice between the Pittsburgh Pirates - the splash that would cement their offseason and put the league on notice - and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, where Disneyland is located.

Then, earlier in the week, things got entirely wonky. The market got crowded. All perceived favorites were nearly eliminated. A cloud of smoke disrupted the process, even as a ticking clock sounded in the background. On Friday, The Athletic MLB insider Will Sammon noted that the Toronto Blue Jays had pursued the versatile Okamoto, entertaining a potential move to the outfield (or, at least, stretching his versatility to its upper limits).

When Sammon speaks, and only mentions one team, it's typically for good reason.

On Saturday, the already loaded Jays kept their foot on the gas this offseason, marking their second major splurge after Dylan Cease's $200 million arrival (and Cody Ponce/Tyler Rogers joining the bullpen). Okamoto will be a Jay, and while there seems to be no limit to their offseason, it does throw the rest of their grand plan into question.

Of course, they weren't strongly connected to Okamoto at any point prior to Friday, either, so you never know how and why they'll continue to build. That darned smoke.

Pirates' free agency dream officially dies as Kazuma Okamoto chooses Toronto Blue Jays

Will Bo Bichette return to Toronto, or will the Boston Red Sox replace Alex Bregman with a younger model? Are the Jays going to use Okamoto in the outfield more than anyone thought at first blush? How will that affect their pursuit of Kyle Tucker?

The possibilities are endless for the Blue Jays. For the Pirates? They've mostly ended. Okamoto was an affordable exclamation point. Now, Pittsburgh will have to hope that one year of Brandon Lowe/two seasons of Ryan O'Hearn/Konnor Griffin's eventual arrival (May?) will be enough to change the calculus in a city that's been yearning for it.

Unfortunately, this solid A offseason now feels slightly incomplete.