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Padres sign power hitter Leandro Cedeño after success in Japan

Feb 6, 2026, 3:20 PM20
(Update: Feb 7, 2026, 2:47 AM)
Major League Baseball franchise in San Diego, California, United States
island country in East Asia

Padres sign power hitter Leandro Cedeño after success in Japan

  • Leandro Cedeño has joined the San Diego Padres after a productive stint in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
  • He previously played in the minor leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks, struggling to find opportunities.
  • His signing represents the Padres' effort to enhance their roster depth while managing their prospects.
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In the United States, the San Diego Padres have made a strategic decision during the recent Major League Baseball offseason by signing 27-year-old Leandro Cedeño. Cedeño, a versatile player capable of playing both first base and outfield, has spent the previous three seasons competing in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). His performance in Japan was notable, as he achieved a .709 OPS and hit 31 home runs over 229 games. This success has led the Padres to bring Cedeño into their organization in the hopes of enhancing their roster with a player who possesses considerable power potential. Furthermore, Cedeño's journey through the minor leagues in the United States, including time as a farmhand with the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks, had previously been hampered by the lack of opportunity at the major league level. This experience motivated him to seek a more productive career abroad in Japan, where he showcased his talent by accumulating impressive statistics. The Padres have been relatively quiet this offseason, making only a few significant moves to augment their roster, which included re-signing third baseman Sung-Mun Song and bringing in Miguel Andujar for a one-year, $4 million contract. By acquiring Cedeño, they aim to bolster their depth, especially given the challenges they face in managing their prospect pool, which frequently encounters trades. Cedeño now has the opportunity to compete in the spring training roster, where demonstrating consistent performance could earn him a spot on the major league team. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees approached this offseason differently, focusing on maintaining their strong lineup. After leading the majors in home runs and OPS, the Yankees have primarily concentrated on re-signing their key player assets, ensuring that they retain a competitive roster moving forward. The strategies of both teams reflect their distinct approaches during a pivotal time in the MLB offseason.

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