The San Diego Padres, who recently signed a multi-year contract with Darvish Yu, are eyeing additional reinforcements on the mound, including Cole Hamels, who has 163 major league wins, and Michael Waka, who has 73 wins.
The US’San Diego Union-Tribune’ said on the 14th (Korean time), “Some players may get a chance to play as a starting pitcher in San Diego in 2023, but we are watching outside options.”
San Diego has a solid starting lineup, including Joe Musgrove, Blake Snell, Nick Martinez, and Seth Lugo, who recently signed a six-year, $108 million contract extension with Darvish. In addition, there are several players who are likely to receive a chance. However, it is aiming to strengthen its power through external recruitment.
The players San Diego is interested in are Cole Hamels and Michael Waka. Hamels debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006 and worked for the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves, and has recorded 163 wins, 122 losses, and an ERA of 3.43 in 423 games over 15 major league seasons. 스포츠토토
Hamels’ career was cut short after suffering a shoulder injury in 2020. Hamels struggled to return to the mound in 2021, but with his return delayed, he is setting the spring of the 2023 season as his return point. Although San Diego has not stepped on the major league stage for the past two years, Hamels, who was selected as the MVP with four career All-Stars (2007, 2011, 2012, 2016), two no-hitters (2014, 2015), and the 2008 World Series victory is paying attention to
The San Diego Union-Tribune explained, “Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP, hasn’t pitched since making one start for Atlanta in 2020. But he impressed scouts in training last week.” And San Diego is said to have been in contact with Hamels recently.
San Diego is also interested in Waka. Waka made his debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013 and played for the New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, and Boston Red Sox, and is 74-50 with an ERA of 4.05 in 225 games (204 starts) over 10 seasons. Last year, Waka went 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA in Boston, leaving an impressive mark.
Citing sources, the San Diego Union-Tribune added, “San Diego considers Waka a more realistic option than Hamels.”
San Diego, which stepped on the stage of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) last year, is showing a very aggressive move this winter, signing an 11-year, $280 million (approximately 355.1 billion won) contract with Zander Bogarts and an extension contract with Darvish. It remains to be seen whether San Diego, which is looking higher, can additionally reinforce the starting mound.