NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Showing their willingness to explore any and all angles to improve the roster, the Chicago White Sox are reported to be interested in Japanese third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda.

General manager Rick Hahn said in a Tuesday morning interview on the MLB Network that some of the many options to upgrade at third base include a player making “a position change, or somebody who has perhaps not played domestically in the U.S. just yet.”

Later Tuesday, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported, via Twitter, the White Sox and Padres were among the teams interested in Matsuda.

The 32-year-old Matsuda, who throws and bats right-handed, is a 10-year veteran of the Japan Pacific League. He has played his entire career with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, the two-time defending champion in Japan.

A source indicated that the Padres are believed to have strong interest in Matsuda and appear to be further along in the courting process for his services than the White Sox.

Matsuda hit a career-best 35 home runs this past season with 94 RBIs in 143 games, posting a .533 slugging percentage. Some of his increased power numbers, though, could be attributed to reduced outfield dimensions this past season at his home ballpark, the Fukuoka Dome.

On defense, Matsuda committed just eight errors in 340 chances.

Over his 10-year career in Japan’s highest level of baseball, Matsuda has 214 home runs, 577 RBIs and a .277 batting average with a .477 slugging percentage.

Matsuda, who is a free agent and is not subject to Japan’s posting process, is believed to be weighing an offer from his former team in the four-year, $20 million range.