Report: Padres favorites to sign Japan's Makita

The San Diego Padres may have been burned in the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes, but they might have found their consolation prize.

The Padres are the favorites to sign submariner and relief pitcher Kazuhisa Makita, according to Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan, confirming an earlier report from Yahoo Sports Japan.

Related: Japanese relief ace Kazuhisa Makita to join Ohtani on posting market

Makita, 33, has spent the last seven seasons with the Seibu Lions in the Japanese Pacific League. He converted to a full-time relief pitcher in 2016, and has allowed only 30 runs and issued only 21 walks in 141 1/3 innings since the switch.

For his career, he owns a 2.83 ERA and 1.173 WHIP over 921 1/3 innings in 110 starts and 166 relief appearances with the Lions.