Should the Padres make an attempt to sign Yoshitomo Tsutsugo?

A few weeks ago, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars announced that they would be posting Japanese star Yoshitomo Tsutsugo for MLB teams to sign in November.

Tsutsugo is a corner infielder and left fielder who hits left handed and throws right. He is 27 years old.

In the Japan Central League this season, Tsutsugo hit .272 with 29 home runs and 79 RBIs in 131 games.

He also played in the 2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC) with the Japan national baseball team. Tsutsugo was named Pool B MVP after hitting .364. He finished the WBC hitting .320 with three homer runs and eight RBIs in just seven games. He helped lead Japan to a bronze medal.

The only way that the Padres sign Tsutsugo would be to play left or right field. With guys like Josh Naylor, Hunter Renfroe, and Nick Martini, there is already some competition heading into Spring Training.

In the past, the Padres have signed two players from Japan. Both players they signed have been pitchers. Back in 2004, the Padres signed Akinori Otsuka. After two seasons with the Padres, he was traded to the Rangers. In 2018, the Padres signed Kazuhisa Makita. In 27 appearances, Makita had a 5.40 ERA with 37 strikeouts. During this past season, Makita was designated for assignment. On October 1st, Makita elected free agency. Makita played with Tsutsugo in the 2017 WBC.

The Padres could definitely use a power hitting outfielder. But it all depends on if the Padres would be willing to pay him the money he is asking for.