Padres Face Uncertain Future with Yu Darvish, Add Depth as Offseason Moves Continue
The San Diego Padres are heading into 2026 without one of their most experienced arms. Yu Darvish, who’s battled through injuries over the past two seasons, underwent elbow surgery earlier this offseason and won’t take the mound at all this coming year. At a recent Padres charity event in San Diego, Darvish addressed the media and acknowledged the uphill climb ahead-both in terms of recovery and the remaining three years on his contract.
While Darvish didn’t rule out a return, his comments left the door open for questions about whether he’ll be able to pitch again at the big-league level. He’s 39 now, and with elbow surgery recovery being what it is-especially for a pitcher with as many innings logged as Darvish-it’s fair to wonder how much more he has in the tank. The Padres, and their fans, will be watching closely as he works through rehab, but for now, his future remains a question mark.
Preller’s Latest Project: Triston McKenzie
Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller has a reputation for taking chances on bounce-back candidates, and he may have found his latest project in right-hander Triston McKenzie. After a rocky stretch, McKenzie is looking for a fresh start, and San Diego could be the right place for it.
The reunion with pitching coach Ruben Niebla is worth noting. Niebla worked with McKenzie during their time in Cleveland, and that familiarity could be the key to unlocking the lanky righty’s potential. If McKenzie can stay healthy and rediscover his command, this could be one of those low-risk, high-reward moves that Preller seems to specialize in-similar to what the team saw last year with Gavin Sheets, who carved out a productive role after being signed under similar circumstances.
Padres Land KBO Infielder Sung-Mun Song
San Diego also made an international splash by signing Korean Baseball Organization infielder Sung-Mun Song to a four-year, $15 million deal. The agreement had been in the works for several days but was finalized Sunday.
Song brings a versatile glove and a disciplined approach at the plate. While he may not be a household name yet, he’s the kind of player who could quietly become a key contributor-especially if he adjusts quickly to MLB pitching. The Padres are banking on his upside over the next few seasons, and at that price point, it’s a calculated bet that could pay off.
Around the League: Murakami Chooses Chicago, Okamoto Next Up
One of the biggest international free agents is off the board. Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami has agreed to a two-year, $34 million deal with the Chicago White Sox.
Murakami drew interest from several MLB clubs, but in the end, Chicago gave him the deal he was looking for. Known for his prodigious power, Murakami will be a major addition to a White Sox lineup looking for a spark.
With Murakami signed, attention now shifts to infielder Kazuma Okamoto. He’s next in line among the top Japanese position players expected to make the jump to MLB. Okamoto is a steadier defender than Murakami and offers similar pop with fewer strikeouts-an appealing combination for teams that missed out on Murakami.
Strahm Traded to Royals Amid Clubhouse Rumblings
Former Padres reliever Matt Strahm is on the move again. The left-hander was traded from the Phillies to the Royals earlier this week, but the deal may have been about more than just roster fit.
Reports have surfaced suggesting that Strahm’s exit from Philadelphia may have stemmed from internal friction with coaches and other team officials. Whatever the case, he’ll get a fresh start in Kansas City, where the Royals continue to retool their bullpen.
Red Sox, Cardinals Swap Contreras for Pitching
In another notable move, the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals pulled off a trade that sends first baseman Willson Contreras to Boston.
In return, the Cardinals receive pitcher Hunter Dobbins and two additional pitching prospects. It’s a classic needs-based deal: Boston adds a veteran bat to its lineup, while St.
Louis continues to stockpile young arms.
As the offseason continues to heat up, the Padres are clearly not standing still-even with Darvish sidelined. With a few smart gambles and some international talent on the way, San Diego’s front office is doing what it can to stay competitive in a loaded National League. The big question now is whether these moves can help bridge the gap in a year where one of their most trusted starters will be watching from the sidelines.