Padres Sign Reliever Yuki Matsui in Major Offseason Move

The San Diego Padres have made a significant move in the MLB offseason by signing Japanese reliever Yuki Matsui to a five-year contract worth $28 million. This marks the first major transaction for the Padres this winter, following a free-agent spending spree last year.

Matsui, 28, is a highly regarded closer with a decade-long career in Japan, playing for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He has an impressive track record, having saved 236 games and maintaining a 2.40 ERA over 659.2 innings. In 2023, Matsui achieved a career-best by saving 39 games and striking out 72 batters while only walking 13 in 57.1 innings.

The contract includes opt-outs after the third and fourth seasons for Matsui, providing him with the opportunity to reassess his career progress and potentially negotiate further deals. Additionally, if Matsui suffers a serious elbow injury during the contract, the Padres have the option to convert the fifth year of the deal into a club option worth $7 million.

This signing comes after the Padres shed nearly $100 million from their payroll through trades and free agency. The team had previously released several key players, including closer Josh Hader, right-hander Nick Martinez, and left-hander Tim Hill. The Padres’ bullpen has been significantly weakened by these departures, and the addition of Matsui aims to strengthen their pitching lineup.

Last winter, the Padres invested nearly $400 million in free agents, with a notable signing being Xander Bogaerts’ 11-year, $280 million deal. Matsui’s contract is the third-largest free agent deal for a reliever in MLB history, following teammate Robert Suarez’s five-year, $46 million deal and New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz’s five-year, $102 million deal.

Despite the significant investment in Matsui, the Padres still face budget restrictions due to their $255 million payroll and a $39.7 million luxury-tax bill. The team has also traded star outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Yankees, which has further impacted their financial situation.

Matsui, standing at 5-foot-8, may not be an imposing presence on the mound, but his fastball reaches up to 95 mph with strong carry from a low arm slot. He also throws a split-fingered fastball and an occasional slider, according to evaluators.

The signing of Yuki Matsui represents a strategic move by the Padres to strengthen their bullpen and improve their chances in the upcoming MLB season. With a proven track record and a competitive contract, Matsui is expected to make a significant impact on the team’s performance.