Nabuhiro

Matsuda

The 33-year-old Matsuda clubbed a three-run homer in a five-run fifth inning and later provided some insurance with an RBI single in the eighth. Not bad for the team’s No. 8 hitter. Japan had five players with at least two hits. Japan will play Australia next on Wednesday while Cuba has a quick turnaround against China on Tuesday night.

Japan is now 6-0 in the tournament. This game was scoreless until Japan plated six runs in the sixth inning. Matsuda delivered an RBI double in that frame and later added an RBI single in the eighth. With the victory, Team Netherlands has also advanced while Israel and Cuba have been eliminated. The championship round will take place from March 20-22 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Matsuda, 32, batted .287 with a career-high 35 home runs and an .889 OPS over 143 games this season with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Japan’s Pacific League. He’s a free agent this winter, so he won’t have to go through the posting process to sign with an MLB team. The White Sox have a clear need at third base, so this is one worth keeping an eye on.

Lin says the team could also offer a one-year deal with an option for a second year. Matsuda is a 32-year-old third baseman who batted .287 with 35 homers and an .889 OPS with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Japan’s Pacific League this season. The White Sox are another team that has been linked to Matsuda this winter.

Padres general manager A.J. Preller and director of player personnel Logan White were present for the meeting. Matsuda is a free agent, so he wouldn’t have to go through the posting process. The 32-year-old batted .287 with a career-high 35 home runs and an .889 OPS over 143 games this season with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Japan’s Pacific League. His power likely won’t be as much of an asset against major league pitching, but he’s considered a strong defender at third base.

Matsuda’s reportedly received offers from major league clubs, but it’s unlikely (though possible) that he’s seen an offer of that length in the States. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on December 10 that the Padres were considering offering him a two-year contract, while the White Sox have also been rumored in the mix. The 32-year-old third baseman whacked 35 homers while posting an .889 OPS mark with the Hawks in 2015.

Matsuda did receive major league deals according to Heyman, but the Hawks blew them all off the map when they offered the 32-year-old third baseman a five-year contract. Among the major league teams said to be in on him prior to this development, the Padres and White Sox. Matsuda smacked 35 homers in the Pacific League during the 2015 campaign.