Toritani would fill two needs for Padres

For now, the Padres are insisting they’re comfortable with Alexi Amarista as their No. 1 shortstop. That doesn’t mean they aren’t looking high and low for options in a search that has already turned up Clint Barmes as a backup.

One possibility is Japanese infielder Takashi Toritani, although a source told U-T San Diego early Monday morning that the Padres do not have a current offer on the table for the 33-year-old shortstop.

Japanese media had been reporting that Toritani had been mulling offers from the Blue Jays and Padres, according to a report from the Toronto Star.

While Toronto General Manager Alex Anthopoulos would have interest in Toritani as a double-play partner with Jose Reyes, Toritani – an unrestricted free agent – could serve two holes for the Padres:

A reliable, experienced defender at shortstop and a legitimate leadoff bat from the left side.

In 11 seasons with the Hanshin Tigers, Toritani boasts a .372 on-base percentage. While the power he has showcased throughout his career – he swatted a career-high 20 homes in 2009 – likely wouldn’t translate to Major League Baseball, Toritani would present a considerable upgrade to the Padres’ current leadoff options.

He has topped a .400 on-base percentage the last two seasons and has walked more than he has struck out the last four seasons. Padres leadoff hitters last year reached base at a collective .292 clip, while the most logical leadoff option given all the outfield acquisitions – Amarista – boasted a .286 on-base percentage over a career-high 466 plate appearances.

Toritani, who is represented by super agent Scott Boras, would likely sign a one- or two-year deal given his age. As an unrestricted free agent, a major league team would not be required to pay a posting fee if he opted to leave Japan.