Yu Darvish: Breaking down veteran San Diego Padres pitcher's six-year $108 Million Extension

Yu Darvish was undoubtedly the best starter for the San Diego Padres last season. So, it was only natural for the Padres' organization to willfully recognize his exploits for the franchise and offer Yu a multi-year contract extension. The final terms of the contract were reported to be a six-year extension worth 108 million dollars in total.

"Right-hander Yu Darvish and the San Diego Padres are in agreement on a six-year, $108 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. The deal starts this season and runs through 2028, when Darvish will be 42" - JeffPassan

Since Yu Darvish has a deal with the Padres through the end of 2028 and is expected to make 18 million dollars this season, the actual contract payout from 2023 onward to 2028 amounts to 90 million dollars.

Yu is 36 years old, and his most recent contract extension would keep him with the Padres until he is at least 42. No other pitcher in the league over the age of 35 has signed a multi-year contract extension.

Is A.J. Preller, the general manager, taking a risk? The Padres organization may have a valid reason for this transaction. Given that they have already exceeded their payroll threshold and are only six million dollars away from entering the penalty tier, which could have a significant impact on their future draft picks, the Padres' management stated that it was a necessity to not allow Yu to leave.

"YU Darvish. Pitch Quality History" - qopbaseball

Yu Darvish will be in San Diego for the Long Haul

Yu Darvish was acquired by the San Diego Padres in a six-player trade from the Chicago Cubs in 2021, and it was rumored that the Cubs' administration was attempting to reduce the burden of their tax threshold in 2020.

The Padres' general manager, A.J. Preller, has had a strong relationship with Yu since serving in the Rangers' administration, when he pushed to bring Darvish to the Major Leagues from the Nippon Professional League, where Yu used to play for the Hokkaido ball club.

"2019: Dombrowski pays Bogaerts and Chris Sale (despite a good FA pitching class coming), while Mookie Betts's contract ends in two years"

"2023: AJ Preller pays Bogaerts and Yu Darvish (despite a good FA pitching class coming), and Juan Soto's contract ends in two years" - MandrewHeeman

Darvish had a 3.10 ERA last season after throwing 194 2/3 innings and striking out 197 batters. After accounting for the offensive climate of the league and the ballpark, his ERA in 10 MLB seasons was 20% lower than the league average. Darvish has been nominated for the Cy Young Award four times, finishing second in 2013 and 2020.