Padres continue to load up, strike deal with Cubs for All-Star pitcher Yu Darvish
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The San Diego Padres continue to load up.
One day after reaching agreement on a trade to bring former AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to San Diego, the Padres reached an agreement to acquire All-Star right-hander Yu Darvish from the Chicago Cubs in a seven-player deal, two people with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet official.
Catcher Victor Caratini is also joining Darvish in the move from the Cubs to the Padres. Going back to Chicago in the trade is Padres starter Zach Davies and prospects Reginald Preciado and Yeison Santana, both shortstops, and Owen Caissie and Ismael Mena, both outfielders.
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Darvish had an up-and-down tenure in Chicago but ended his time in the Windy City on a high note, finishing runner-up to Trevor Bauer in NL Cy Young voting in 2020. He led the National League with eight wins this past season, posting a 2.01 ERA with 93 strikeouts over 76 innings.
The 34-year-old four-time All-Star has also suited up for the Texas Rangers and the Padres’ division rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Darvish had two rough outings – including his start in Game 7 – for the Dodgers in the 2017 World Series against the Houston Astros, though he otherwise pitched quite well in that postseason and was solid enough in his one playoff outing for the Cubs this past season.
Chicago will pick up a “minor portion” of the $59 million that remains on the six-year, $126 million deal Darvish signed in 2018.
Acquiring Darvish on the heels of bringing in Snell signals the Padres are clearly ready to win now. San Diego reached the postseason for the first time since 2006 this past fall and in ousting the Cardinals in the wild-card round won their first playoff series since 1998. The incoming veteran duo will join a young pitching staff highlighted by ascending stars like Dinelson Lamet that is augmented by an exciting offense keyed by 21-year-old Fernando Tatis Jr. and big-time free agent Manny Machado.
The battle for the NL West should be exciting in 2021 with the Padres angling for their first World Series championship and the Dodgers – seemingly set to be as good as ever – determined to be the first team to repeat since the 1998-2000 Yankees.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Padres continue to load up, strike deal with Cubs for All-Star pitcher Yu Darvish