Padres meet with Japanese 3B Matsuda

Padres general manager A.J. Preller and director of player personnel Logan White have met with Japanese free-agent third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda, according to multiple reports. The meeting took place this week while the two were on a scouting trip through Asia.

The two sides didn't discuss contract details, but the Japanese star is reportedly interested in pursing a deal with a Major League club. As a free agent, no posting fee is needed for Matsuda.

The 32-year-old hit a career-high 35 home runs with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks last season and had a career-high .357 on-base percentage.

The Padres have plenty of options at third base. Yangervis Solarte got most of the playing time at the position last season and the team acquired utility infielders Jose Pirela and Carlos Asuaje in trades.

Over 10 seasons in Japan, Matsuda is a career .277/.325/.477 hitter with 161 home runs and 577 RBIs in 1,064 Japan Pacific League games.