The San Diego Padres might be getting ready for an aggressive offseason beneath new possession, with three Japanese stars reportedly drawing curiosity from the group.
With a number of roster holes to fill, president of baseball operations A.J. Preller seems to be exploring quite a lot of choices to strengthen San Diego’s roster forward of the 2027 season.
In accordance with Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the Padres are exhibiting curiosity in former Chicago Cubs gamers Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga, together with Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato.
The report, highlighted by MLB.com on November 10, comes as San Diego prepares to deal with vital roster uncertainty, notably in its beginning rotation.
The Padres have historically maintained an lively presence within the worldwide market, and Preller might look abroad as soon as once more for assist.
All three gamers might present worthwhile additions to San Diego, though every provides one thing totally different.
Nonetheless, there isn’t a indication that agreements with any of the three gamers are imminent.
Seiya Suzuki
Suzuki, 32, is coming into free company after spending 5 seasons with the Chicago Cubs.
The Japanese outfielder hit .270 with 26 house runs and 86 RBIs in 2026, persevering with to determine himself as a productive major-league hitter.
Including Suzuki would give San Diego one other established offensive weapon, though the membership must decide how he matches alongside its current outfield expertise, together with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill.
Teruaki Sato
Sato, in the meantime, represents a chance to accumulate one in every of Japan’s most enjoyable energy hitters.
The 27-year-old nook infielder dominated Nippon Skilled Baseball in 2026, profitable the Central League Triple Crown after hitting .306 with 39 house runs and 106 RBIs.
The Hanshin Tigers star has been made accessible to major-league organizations by way of the posting system, giving him a chance to make the bounce to MLB.
His left-handed energy might present a major enhance to the Padres’ lineup, notably if San Diego seems to deal with its offensive wants at first base.
Shota Imanaga
Imanaga might maybe fill an much more urgent want.
The previous Cubs starter recorded an 11-10 file with a 3.77 ERA and 174 strikeouts throughout 174 1/3 innings in 2026.
The 33-year-old left-hander has established himself as a dependable major-league starter since arriving from Japan forward of the 2024 season.
Given San Diego’s uncertainty on the mound, Imanaga might emerge as a very engaging choice.
Padres’ New Possession Faces Main Offseason Choices
The reported curiosity comes at an vital time for the group.
San Diego’s new possession group, led by Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano, has publicly emphasised its dedication to profitable.
Nonetheless, fulfilling these ambitions might require vital investments in free company.
There may be extra threat this offseason as a result of uncertainty surrounding the potential expiration of MLB’s collective bargaining settlement on December 1.
That would complicate the Padres’ capacity to finish main transactions if negotiations between the league and gamers lead to a lockout.
The beginning rotation seems to be a transparent want for the Friars.
Michael King, Nick Pivetta and Walker Buehler are among the many pitchers coming into free company, whereas questions stay about Yu Darvish’s future and Joe Musgrove’s function.
Randy Vásquez is at the moment the one established starter assured to return.
Preller has acknowledged the problem but in addition expressed optimism concerning the flexibility accessible to the staff.
The Padres’ reported curiosity in Suzuki, Sato, and Imanaga provides the group three totally different choices for enhancing its roster.
Whether or not the staff commits to any of the three stays to be seen.
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