Yu Darvish has decided not to test free agency next winter. The pitcher has reportedly agreed to a six-year, $108-million extension with the Padres.
It’s a remarkable commitment for a player who turns 37 in August. (Darvish will be 42 at the conclusion of the deal.) But it’s an appropriately big statement for the Padres, underscoring just how serious they are about competing in the NL West for the next handful of years.
This secures the core of this rotation for the foreseeable future. Alongside Darvish, there’s also Joe Musgrove, who signed a five-year extension last summer. That makes for a great foundation, though San Diego could certainly benefit from adding some more depth. Despite the length of this deal, it’s primarily about the next few seasons, as the Padres look to build on last year’s trip to the NLCS. Ensuring that Darvish sticks around looks like a key part of that.
