Padres vet ties Yu Darvish factor to a 6-time NPB All-Star's free agency

Beteran San Diego Padres ace Yu Darvish has been one of the most reliable players for the NL West franchise over the last few years. Darvish has been in the major leagues for more than a decade and has established himself as one of the most recognisable faces in home country Japan.

Former San Diego reliever Heath Bell discussed Darvish's importance to the team and the influence he has on players coming from Japan. Bell named Darvish has a important factor in Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto's sweepstake.

Okamoto, a six time NPB All-Star, was posted by the Yomiuri Giants last month and his signing window closes soon. Bell said on the "Friar Territory" podcast:

Any Asian person that's over here, watching them in the big league, so they're almost two superstars in one, and they haven't really done much over here yet. So it's interesting to see, but they're one of the best teammates that you'll have. If you have an opportunity to have one on your team. And you know, I think, the Padres, if they could sign him, it just depends how much money he wants. I think he'll be a good fit with the Padres because they've had some asian players in the past. And you know you Darvish is probably going to be around even though he's hurt. A lot of those guys look up to you Darvis, so I think it'll be a good fit for the Padres.

Former Padres reliever outlines criteria San Diego should look for in Kazuma Okamoto

While Kazuma Okamoto has been a reliable hitter in Japan for more than 10 seasons, the Japanese infielder's market has been relatively subdued with concerns over his power.

Heath Bell said that the Padres should be looking at the Japanese slugger as good ball player and not a superstar.

"He seems like a really good ball player," Bell said. "Yeah, he's not a super power guy, not super this, but just a good ball player, and I feel like the bench/AAA should be good ball players, they don't have to be superstars."

According to latest reports, the Seattle Mariners have shown interest in the slugger as a potential replacement for Eugenio Suarez, who became a free agent at the end of last season.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash