By Reinaldo Oliveros
Dec 24, 2023, 09:53 AM EST
The San Diego Padres do not want to repeat what happened in the 2023 season after failing to qualify for the playoffs. To do this, they announced this Saturday the signing of Yuki Matsui, one of the best closers coming from Japan.
The agreement will be for five years and $28 million dollars, according to specialized sources. This is the Padres’ first signing after having been one of the teams with the highest payroll in 2023.
Who is Yuki Matsui, the new closer of the San Diego Padres?
Yuki Matsui, 28 years old, is a closer in the Japan Baseball League (NPB).
The Japanese left-hander spent 10 seasons in the NPB with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles team.
During the 10 campaigns, Matsui finished with an ERA of 2.40, 659.2 innings pitched, 860 strikeouts and only issued 295 walks.
In 2023, he saved a career-high 39 games and struck out 72 with just 13 walks in 57.1 innings.
Matsui’s contract has clauses to get out of the contract in the third and fourth seasons. Additionally, if he suffers a serious injury to his elbow, the Padres will be able to exercise a $7 million dollar option in the fifth year of his contract.
The San Diego Padres hope to strengthen their bullpen after losing left-hander Josh Hader in 2023 and starter Nick Martínez.
Last season the Padres spent more than $400 million, most of it on the signing of shortstop Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million deal.
This is the third five-year contract a reliever has received in the Major Leagues. The other is for his partner, the Venezuelan Robert Suárez. and Edwin Diz’s with the New York Mets, the largest contract for a closer in the Major Leagues.
According to reports, Matsui has a fastball that averages 92 miles and reaches 95 miles per hour. He also combines his pitches with a slider and is difficult for hitters because of his throwing posture.
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