“I’m in my late 30s, but I’ve evolved”… 6 years of investing 137 billion won in a 37-year-old pitcher, the background of the big decision

 Why did the San Diego Padres invest a huge amount of 137 billion won in a 37-year-old pitcher over six years? 

According to multiple media outlets in the United States, Japanese major leaguer Darvish signed a six-year, $108 million (approximately 137 billion won) contract extension with the San Diego Padres on the 10th (Korean time). Darvish, who turned 37 this year, was guaranteed active service in the big leagues until the age of 42. 

After the announcement of the contract, American media ‘Sports Illustrated (SI)’ analyzed the factors of Darvish’s six-year contract extension. It is quite unusual for a pitcher in his late 30s to be offered a six-year long contract. The media analyzed, “This long-term contract of Darvish is proof that he has an amazing ability to continuously reform himself.” 

Darvish, who has won 93 wins in Japanese professional baseball, joined the Major League Texas Rangers in 2012 and showed good pitching with an average ERA of 3.90 and 16 wins and 9 losses in 29 games. Until 2014, he won 10 victories for three consecutive years and ran a solid road to being selected as an All-Star. 

After passing through the Los Angeles Dodgers, Darvish signed a six-year, $126 million (approximately 159 billion won) contract with the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 2018 season. Afterwards, he became a San Diego Man through a trade in 2021, and last year, he showed a rejuvenation struggle with an average ERA of 3.10 in 30 games, 16 wins and 8 losses, and stepped on the 10-win high in 8 years since 2014. After becoming a free agent after the 2023 season, he agreed to an early extension contract with the Padres. 

SI said, “The six-year contract with the pitcher, who turns 37 this coming August, translates into a significant commitment from the club. However, this is also an expression of San Diego’s intention to fight a real fight to win the National League West division in the future. Darvish is essential for a successful postseason.” 메이저사이트

He added, “Darvish’s WHIP (0.95) last year was a career high. 194⅔innings is a figure comparable to 2013 (209⅔innings),” he said. He showed off enough pitching to get votes,” he said, highlighting Darvish’s performance last year.

Another reason San Diego caught Darvish was his versatile ball formula. The media said, “Darvish can have up to 11 different ball combinations. In 2012, when he was a rookie, the four-seam fastball was his main weapon, but it has changed since then, and now he pitches mainly on cut fastballs.” He gave a high evaluation, saying, “It is difficult to ask him for any more great pitch combinations.”

Some criticize Darvish’s contract extension as a reckless gamble by San Diego. However, SI said, “It’s a bit unreasonable to predict that 42-year-old Darvish will pitch like he is now.” There is a reason why San Diego is confident in this contract.” 

 Why did the San Diego Padres invest a huge amount of 137 billion won in a 37-year-old pitcher over six years?  According to multiple media outlets in the United States, Japanese major leaguer Darvish signed a six-year, $108 million (approximately 137 billion won) contract extension with the San Diego Padres on the 10th (Korean time). Darvish,…