After being purchased for a then-record $3.9 billion valuation by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones, the San Diego Padres are expected to be active this offseason. General manager A.J. Preller, known for creative roster construction, has financial flexibility to pursue a championship roster. According to a report by Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the Padres are targeting several Japanese-born free agents.
Outfielder Seiya Suzuki, currently with the Chicago Cubs, is one of the best outfielders on the market. He recently became the fourth Japanese-born player to reach 100 career MLB home runs, joining Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, and Shohei Ohtani. Suzuki has hit 20-plus home runs in four consecutive seasons with a .270+ batting average in three of the last four years and an OPS above .800 in four straight seasons. In 2026 he improved defensively, posting career highs in Fielding Run Value (+7) and Outs Above Average (+5). However, Suzuki does not fill an obvious positional need for San Diego, as Fernando Tatis Jr. is entrenched in right field. A move to left field is possible but not a clean defensive fit. Projected contract: 4 years, $110 million ($27.5 million AAV) per Spotrac.
Hanshin Tigers third baseman/outfielder Teruaki Sato, the reigning NPB Triple Crown winner, has three weeks to sign with an MLB club or return to Japan. Some projections suggest a deal up to five years, $180 million, though his high strikeout numbers could temper the market. Sato's NPB slash line over six seasons is .273/.338/.516 with 167 home runs. The Padres have struggled to find consistency in left field, using four different Opening Day left fielders in the last four seasons and at least 22 different players at the position. Sato could provide the everyday production San Diego lacks. Projected contract: 3 years, $75 million ($25 million AAV) per Spotrac.
Left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga, also of the Chicago Cubs, is considered the most obvious fit. The Padres lack a left-handed starter and have lost several pitchers this offseason, including Walker Buehler, Griffin Canning, Lucas Giolito, Michael King, Casey Mize, Nick Pivetta, and Robbie Ray. Imanaga posted a 2.91 ERA over 173.1 innings in his 2024 rookie season and has a 3.45 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and .226 opponent batting average across 492.1 innings in three seasons with the Cubs. A reunion with fellow Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish could help maximize his effectiveness. Projected contract: 2 years, $34 million ($17 million AAV).
