Padres News: Blue Jays sign former pitcher, Yu Darvish on Roki Sasaki, free agency

As their National League West rivals in Los Angeles and San Francisco have been busy making noise on the free agent market this offseason, the San Diego Padres have been conspicuously quiet. Or have they?

FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray offered some insight as far as what San Diego has been up to last week on "The Baseball Insiders" podcast, saying that the Padres have, in fact, "made offers to a couple free agents ... but they just have not lined up on any deals there."

Murray further added: "I know one player they do have interest in is James McCann, but there's a gap in money there so I don't necessarily think that's the most likely thing."

The Padres could use a catcher after losing Kyle Higashioka to the Texas Rangers in free agency, but the 34-year-old McCann is a far cry from the All-Star backstop he was earlier in his career. For a Padres roster that is otherwise relatively complete, he probably wouldn't be worth the significant financial commitment it would take to get him.

Former Padres pitcher signs with Blue Jays in free agency

Sportsnet's Shi Davidi reported Sunday afternoon that the Toronto Blue Jays had signed former Padres right-hander to a Minor League deal. Milacki, who was selected in the 38th round of the 2018 draft by the Washington Nationals, most recently signed a Minor League deal with the Padres before the beginning of the 2023 season.

In 2023, Malacki posted the worst numbers of his professional career in his first taste of Double-A action, finishing with a 4.85 ERA and a 6.83 FIP in 52 innings pitched. He did improve in 2024, with a 3.13 ERA and a 2.78 FIP in 46 innings pitched, along with a 21.5% strikeout percentage and a 3.7% walk percentage.

Milacki struggled again in his brief stint with Triple-A El Paso, posting a 13.00 ERA and an 8.39 FIP in nine innings pitched, with a 16.7% strikeout percentage and a 12.5% walk percentage. He elected free agency after the 2024 season.

Yu Darvish confirms he wants Padres to sign Roki Sasaki in free agency

Coveted Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines of NPB this week, and plenty of MLB teams have already begun making their best offers to woo the 23-year-old in international free agency. Competition is stiff, but the Padres have a powerful recruiting tool on their side in Yu Darvish.

Darvish, widely acknowledged as one of the best Japanese-born pitchers in MLB history, grew close with Sasaki in 2023 when the pair helped lead Japan to a World Baseball Classic title. Darvish recently confirmed via Dennis Lin of The Athletic (subscription required) that he would welcome the opportunity to play alongside his fellow countryman again.

“I think it’s a good thing if he were to come to San Diego,” Darvish said through interpreter Shingo Horie. “Just for myself personally, if it does happen, yeah, it’s a great thing for me as well. But we’ll see how things shake out.”

Darvish went on to downplay his potential influence on the situation, saying that he will be respectful of whatever decision Sasaki chooses to make. But with the hated Los Angeles Dodgers currently considered the favorites to land him, Padres fans will hope their team can capitalize on whatever advantages it can get.

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