The Padres were big spenders over the past three years, as San Diego locked up key pieces and added new ones. However, the Padres have stared down a payroll cut for 2024 due to unsustainable spending and the fallout from the end of their deal with Bally Sports. Several key players from 2023 won’t be back, but the Padres did make their first major signing of the winter in Yuki Matsui. Here’s a look at what the Padres are getting.
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A Look at Matsui
Former Rakuten Golden Eagle Yuki Matsui didn’t receive the same attention this winter as new Dodgers Yoshinobu Yamamoto or free agent Shota Imanaga. However, the 28-year-old Matsui was considered one of the better relievers available after a strong run in Japan.
Originally a starter with the Golden Eagles, Matsui — who spent 2023 and his entire NPB career with Rakuten — struck out plenty of batters throughout his early career. But things really turned for the new Padre upon a move to the bullpen.
From 2018-23, Matsui recorded two 100+ strikeout seasons, three campaigns with 30 or more saves, and two consecutive campaigns with a sub-2.00 ERA in 2022 & 2023. This past year with Rakuten, Matsui — who played alongside former MLBers Masahiro Tanaka and Maikel Franco, led the Japan Pacific League with 39 saves.
As far as stuff is concerned, the 28-year-old deploys a fastball that primarily sat in the low-90s, around 90-92 MPH. It does have some life, but it’s not an overpowering pitch.
Matsui’s also made use of a splitter and slider, with the former receiving rave reviews.
Command’s a sticking point with Matsui, as he’s been prone to tallying walks in spades in the past. In 2023, though, he posted a career-low 2.0 BB/9.
Per ESPN, the Padres are set to sign Matsui to a five-year, $28MM deal.
Analysis
The Padres bullpen was quite good last year, as San Diego relievers posted the 10th-best ERA (3.80) and best hard-hit rate (27.8%) in the league last year (h/t Fangraphs) However, several pieces from that bullpen won’t return for 2024.
Nick Martinez joined the Reds this past winter, while Scott Barlow was traded to Cleveland to clear his salary off the Padres’ books. Ex-Padres closer Josh Hader likely won’t be back, either, as San Diego’s set to keep their payroll down for the upcoming campaign.
Given the losses, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Yuki Matsui be a name to consider for the Padres’ closer job in 2024 with his stuff and experience closing out games in Japan. San Diego does, however, have Tom Cosgrove, Enyel De Los Santos, Robert Suarez, and Steven Wilson already in their ‘pen.