“Maybe This is a Prank”: San Diego Padres Star Struggles to Believe the Reality of His $108 Million Deal

Every day, new and talented players emerge in Major League Baseball. But it is the team that they play for that cultivates their strengths and brings out the best in them through admiration and acknowledgment of their qualities. The San Diego Padres is one such team known to recognize and appreciate their players’ talents.

An example of the same is the Padres’ star pitcher, Japanese ball player Yu Darvish, who recently signed a six-year contract extension for $108 million. Having played for four different teams during his 11-year career in MLB, staying with the Padres will be the longest he’ll stay with any team. And learning this fact has made the Padres’ ace emotional.

San Diego Padres ace Yu Darvish is finding it hard to believe the truth

By the time Darvish ends his six-year contract with the Padres, he would have turned 42. At this time, most players look forward to retiring, and maybe realizing this fact has made the Padres ace’s feelings come out. It’s been a long road reaching here, and the star pitcher is finally getting the recognition he deserves.

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On February 9, the ball player said, after signing the contract extension of six years, “It is hard to believe that this is going to be the place I’ll be staying the longest. I still don’t believe this.. if this is true or not. Maybe this is a prank.”

After being in the big league for over a decade, the pitcher has played for four teams. But in neither of them, he stayed for over five years. Therefore, getting a contract extension of as big as six years is a big achievement for the baseball player. Thus, making him emotional about it. 

How did the fans react to the Padres’ ace words?

Darvish started playing for the Padres in 2021. He posted an 8-11 record, 4.22 ERA, and 199 strikeouts in 166+1/3 innings in his first year. This, then, helped him got chosen to his fifth All-Star squad.

The Japanese ace, at the time, had another great season in his second year with the Padres, leading to a six-month contract extension.

Following are some reactions of baseball fans toward Darvish’s feelings about his contract extension:

While wishing him good luck, fans want Darvish to know it’s all real for him because he deserves it. Do you think Padres made the right decision by extending his contract? Let us know in the comments below! 

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