Yuki Matsui

Matsui signed a five-year, $28 million contract with the Padres in December, a deal which suggests he has the chance to close for his new club but isn't a lock to do so. San Diego is no stranger to the overseas reliever market, having signed Robert Suarez out of NPB prior to the 2022 season while also adding Woo Suk Go from the KBO this winter. Those two may wind up being Matsui's primary competition for the ninth inning this season, and if he can come anywhere close to repeating his numbers from Japan, he'll emerge as the favorite. The lefty may stand just 5-foot-8, and his four-seamer sits a modest 92-94 mph, but its rising action pairs perfectly with his devastating splitter, leading to a 2.40 ERA and 236 saves across his 10-year career in Japan. Over the last three years, he's produced ERAs of 0.63, 1.952 and 1.57, producing a 36.4 K% over that stretch. He hasn't always shown great control, with a 10.9 BB% for his career, but that number dropped to 5.9% last season. With a strong spring, Matsui could quickly move to the back of the Padres' bullpen.