The San Diego Padres have made another significant move to bolster their offense, signing free agent outfielder, Yoshio Matsumoto, to a four-year, $60 million contract. The deal, which was announced on Tuesday, adds another potent bat to the Padres’ lineup and strengthens their chances of competing for a National League West title in 2025.
Matsumoto, a 29-year-old native of Japan, has been one of the most consistent hitters in the major leagues over the past five seasons. He has a career batting average of .292, with 25 home runs and 80 RBIs per season. Matsumoto’s ability to hit for both power and average makes him an ideal fit for the Padres’ lineup.
“We’re thrilled to add Yoshio to our team,” said Padres General Manager, A.J. Preller. “He’s a talented hitter who brings a high level of production to our lineup. We believe he’ll be a key contributor to our team’s success in 2025 and beyond.”
The signing of Matsumoto is the latest move in a busy offseason for the Padres. The team has already added several key players, including shortstop, Xander Bogaerts, and pitcher, Joe Musgrove. The Padres are clearly committed to building a competitive roster for the 2025 season.
Matsumoto is expected to play a key role in the Padres’ lineup, likely batting in the middle of the order. He will join a lineup that already features several talented hitters, including Bogaerts, Juan Soto, and Manny Machado.
The Padres’ offense was a major strength for the team in 2024, ranking among the top five in the National League in several key categories. With the addition of Matsumoto, the team is expecting even bigger things from its offense in 2025.
“We’re excited about the potential of our lineup,” said Padres Manager, Bob Melvin. “With Yoshio on board, we believe we have the talent and depth to compete with any team in the National League.”
The signing of Matsumoto also has significant implications for the Padres’ outfield situation. The team has several talented outfielders on its roster, including Soto, Machado, and Trent Grisham. With Matsumoto on board, the Padres will have to decide how to allocate playing time among its outfielders.
“We’ll have to figure out how to get everyone playing time,” said Melvin. “But that’s a good problem to have. We’re excited about the depth and talent we have in our outfield.”
In conclusion, the San Diego Padres have made another significant move to strengthen their offense, signing free agent outfielder, Yoshio Matsumoto, to a four-year, $60 million contract. The deal adds another potent bat to the Padres’ lineup and strengthens their chances of competing for a National League West title in 2025. With Matsumoto on board, the Padres are expecting big things from their offense in 2025.