Yuki Matsui went from an overlooked arm to one of the most valuable pieces in the Padres bullpen this season, and that shift came with real consequences for San Diego.
Casual fans might point to Mason Miller as the biggest bullpen surprise, and that’s understandable after the closer put together a season for the ages. But Matsui makes a strong case of his own. Before this year, he was largely a low-leverage option, the kind of reliever used when the Padres were already buried early or when the game had essentially turned into a blowout.
That role changed fast. Because the Padres had to rely on their bullpen early and often, and because the rotation remained thin, Matsui’s usage climbed as the season moved along.
By midseason, manager Craig Stammen was turning to him in the middle innings. Down the stretch, he had become a late-inning, high-leverage reliever trusted to protect a lead.
There were real adjustments behind the leap. Matsui did show more velocity at times, touching 95 on occasion after living more in the low 90s.
But the bigger difference was his command. He was locating more consistently, which matters a lot for a pitcher who likes to work up in the strike zone to finish hitters.
The numbers tell the story clearly. Matsui finished with a 1.83 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP, striking out 68 batters in 64 innings. That’s a sharp contrast from the 3.98 ERA he posted the year before, and it explains why he became such an important part of a deep Padres relief group.
Now the performance creates a question for San Diego. Matsui still has two years left on his deal, with $13.5 million remaining, and the contract includes two options, one for 2026 and another for 2027.
Given what he just did, he could be positioned for a significant raise, especially with the expected wave of signings around and after the GM meetings, which begin on Nov. 9.
Whether the Padres can keep him - and whether they want to push to do it - is the next issue. They ought to be interested after a season like this, and players usually have until five days after the World Series ends to opt out or choose to stay. Nothing has surfaced about negotiations yet, but Matsui is the kind of reliever the Padres can’t afford to let walk away.
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