Published by
The San Diego Union-Tribune
The San Diego Union-Tribune
SAN DIEGO — A.J. Preller is back to spending. At least more than he had so far this winter. The Padres on Friday confirmed a five-year deal for Japanese reliever Yuki Matsui, the first addition to payroll this offseason. ESPN reported the deal’s value at $28 million, with opt-outs after the third and fourth years and an injury clause that can convert the fifth year into a club option — a significant commitment but still a drop in the bucket compared to the way the rest of the NL West is spending so far this winter. The Dodgers have pushed past $1.1 billion with the additions of Shohei Ohtani a…