Darvish could help lure prized free agent to San Diego

As spring training opened in February, Yu Darvish expressed both disappointment and understanding regarding two big additions to the National League West. It had been two months since the Los Angeles Dodgers landed Shohei Ohtani with a record-shattering commitment. Another Japanese star, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, had followed Ohtani to Los Angeles by agreeing to the largest contract for a pitcher in MLB history. Darvish’s San Diego Padres, meanwhile, had slashed their payroll by close to nine figures.

“Frankly speaking, it would have been nice if they came here, if they were my teammates,” Darvish said from the Padres’ complex in Peoria, Arizona. “But I’m happy for them. They’re in a very good organization.”

Darvish went on to explain that he had not attempted to persuade Ohtani or Yamamoto to sign with San Diego. He also suggested that if the Padres’ financial situation were different, he would have been happy to try.