Padres Agree to Five-Year Deal with Reliever Yuki Matsui

Padres and Yuki Matsui Agree on Five-Year Deal

According to sources, the San Diego Padres and left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui have agreed to a five-year contract worth $28 million. This is the first signing for the Padres this offseason after a busy free agent frenzy last year.

The deal was announced by the Padres on Saturday night, although the exact terms were not disclosed. Matsui, who is 28 years old, has spent his entire career with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan, where he has been a dominant closer. He has recorded 236 saves and maintained an impressive 2.40 ERA over 659.2 innings pitched.

In 2023, Matsui had a career-best season, saving 39 games while striking out 72 batters and walking just 13 in 57.1 innings. The deal includes opt-outs for Matsui after the third and fourth seasons. Additionally, if Matsui suffers a serious elbow injury during the contract, the Padres have the option to convert the fifth year into a club option for $7 million.

Bolstering the Bullpen and Dealing with Budget Restrictions

After a series of trades and free agency departures, the Padres entered this offseason with a significantly reduced payroll. They lost closer Josh Hader, right-hander Nick Martinez, and left-hander Tim Hill from their bullpen. To strengthen their relief pitching, the Padres have turned to Matsui, who joins teammate Robert Suarez as the only relievers in MLB with five-year contracts.

Last winter, the Padres made big splashes in the free agent market, spending nearly $400 million. This included signing Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million deal. Matsui's contract is now the most lucrative for a relief pitcher this offseason. However, top relievers like Hader, Jordan Hicks, Robert Stephenson, and Hector Neris are still available on the market.

The Padres faced budget restrictions this year, with a payroll that reached $255 million, resulting in a $39.7 million luxury-tax bill. Before signing Matsui, their projected payroll for the 2024 season was around $148.4 million. Despite the financial constraints, the Padres continue to make moves to strengthen their roster.

What Matsui Brings to the Mound

Yuki Matsui may not have an imposing physical presence, standing at just 5-foot-8, but he brings a strong arsenal of pitches to the mound. His fastball sits around 92 mph and can reach up to 95 mph with good carry from a low arm slot. Matsui also throws a split-fingered fastball and occasionally utilizes a slider, according to evaluators.

With the addition of Matsui, the Padres hope to solidify their bullpen and fill the void left by their departed pitchers. Matsui's track record of success in Japan and his impressive numbers make him an attractive option for San Diego. As they continue to navigate their budget constraints, the Padres are striving to build a competitive team for the upcoming season.