Ownership Changes Drive Offseason Activity
The San Diego Padres are preparing for a significant period of roster construction following their acquisition by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones. The transaction valued the franchise at $3.9 billion, establishing a then-record valuation for the team.
Under the direction of general manager A.J. Preller, the organization is expected to be highly active during the upcoming offseason. Reports indicate that the Padres are targeting several Japanese-born free agents as part of their strategy to build a championship-caliber roster.
Outfield Targets: Suzuki and Sato
The Padres have identified Yoshida Suzuki as one of the premier outfielders available on the market. Suzuki recently became the fourth Japanese-born player in history to record 100 career home runs in Major League Baseball, joining Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, and Shohei Ohtani.
During his MLB tenure, Suzuki has hit 20-plus home runs in four consecutive seasons. He has also posted an OPS above .800 in four straight seasons, with a batting average of .270 or better in three of the last four years.
Suzuki’s defensive capabilities have also improved. In 2026, he posted career highs in Fielding Run Value (+7) and Outs Above Average (+5) while playing right field. This development is notable for San Diego, where Fernando Tatis Jr. is currently entrenched in right field.
Tatis Jr. could potentially shift to left field or return to second base, where he performed well in 2026 while Jake Cronenworth was injured. The move would address a persistent issue for the Padres, who have used at least 22 different players at left field over the last four seasons and had four different left fielders on each of the last four Opening Days.
According to Spotrac data cited by Yahoo Sports, Suzuki’s projected contract is four years worth $110 million, averaging $27.5 million annually.
NPB Star Sato Enters Market
The Padres are also pursuing Sato, the reigning Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Triple Crown winner. Sato has three weeks remaining to sign an MLB deal or return to Japan.
Across six seasons in NPB, Sato hit 167 home runs with a slash line of .273/.338/.516.
Market projections for Sato vary. Some estimates suggest he could garner up to five years and $180 million. However, his high strikeout numbers may cool his market value. This trajectory mirrors that of Munetaka Murakami, who settled for a two-year, $34 million deal last offseason.
Despite the potential volatility in his market, Spotrac projects Sato’s contract at three years and $75 million, averaging $25 million annually.
Pitching Needs and Shota Imanaga
Beyond the outfield, the Padres are in need of a left-handed starting pitcher. This need has drawn attention to Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga, who has established himself as a reliable arm since his rookie campaign in 2024.
Imanaga has pitched well since his debut with the Cubs, posting a 2.91 ERA and 173.1 innings pitched in his first season. Over three seasons with Chicago, he has maintained a 3.45 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and held opponents to a .226 batting average across 492.1 innings.
His durability and effectiveness have also been marked by his strikeout ability. Imanaga has recorded 465 strikeouts in his time with the Cubs, providing the kind of consistent left-handed rotation depth that San Diego seeks to bolster its staff for the upcoming season.