San Diego Padres have just secured themselves a great long-term deal. Since their batting line-up is secured for the next few years, the Padres are trying to work on their rotation. And after landing shortstop Xander Bogaerts to a long-term deal, the Padres have extended the contract of their veteran ace.

It was announced on Feb. 9th that pitcher Yu Darvish will stay with the Friars for six more seasons until 2028. The contract extension allows the 36-year-old to stay with the San Diego team till he’s 42, meaning he might very well finish his career with them. While it’s unusual for teams to invest in players in their late 30s, Darvish has proven his worth so far.

Having the third highest payroll in MLB, the Padres sealed this deal for a whopping $108 million. The Japanese talent is among those players that flourished a little later in their careers. But considering his age, fans are not sure whether it is a good deal for the Padres.

Baseball fans have mixed reactions to this Padres-Yu Darvish deal

While it’s no secret that the Friars have a heavy purse, it looks like this contract extension will be beneficial for the pitcher. Darvish, who was set to be a free agent after the 2023 season, previously had a different six-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. Although the Padres contract boosts his annual salary from $18 to $30 million, it might not look the same when stretched out over six years.

But in any case, it’s going to be an exciting season up ahead and fans are definitely hyped. When Talkin’ Baseball on Twitter announced the news, Twitter had all kinds of reactions.

Of course, there are some who think the team should have focused on extending contracts for members like Manny Machado or Juan Soto instead of focusing on Darvish.

There is another Japanese player the Padres are vying for

Two-way star Shohei Ohtani has taken the world by storm in recent years. Currently an outfielder, designated hitter, and pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani is set to hit free agency after 2023. There is already talk among the fans as well as officials about his fate. Many want him to keep playing for the Angels, but with his elite status, he’s not earning what people believe he deserves.

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A team like the Padres could easily fill his pockets, even if Ohtani has made it clear he’s not in it for the money. In any case, the Friars are being considered a major threat to the Angels next season. With members like Joe Musgrove, Xander Bogaerts, and even Fernando Tatis Jr., Shotime will only add to the amazing roster.

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What do you think of the Yu Darvish extension? Is it too much of a gamble for the San Diego Padres?