Tomoyuki Sugano, coming off 12 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, could be the Baltimore Orioles' short-term replacement for free agent Corbin Burnes.
in October, four years after he first attempted to make it to the big leagues. Sugano's posting window expired before he could secure a deal, though, and he returned to Japan for 2021.
Because Sugano wound up spending 12 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, the eight-time All-Star was not subject to the posting system this time around. Sugano went 136-75 with a 2.45 ERA, 1.035 WHIP and 1,596 strikeouts over the course of his NPB career. He ended 2024 with a 15-3 record, 1.67 ERA, 0.945 WHIP and 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings, winning his third Central League MVP Award in the process.Sugano is set to join Grayson Rodriguez, Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer in the Orioles' rotation.
While Baltimore would surely love to welcome Corbin Burnes back from free agency, they appear to have enough arms to survive 2025 without him. Bringing Burnes back into the fold could cost upwards of $200 million, making Sugano a much cheaper alternative, even if he doesn't have a Cy Young Award on his shelf.
Sugano is the third Japanese player to head to Baltimore straight from NPB. Koji Uehara is the only one of those three to make an appearance in the big leagues for the Orioles, with Sugano obviously looking to join him on that exclusive list next spring.Sam Connon is a Staff Writer for Fastball on the Sports Illustrated/FanNation networks.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Baltimore Orioles Sign Japanese Right-Hander Tomoyuki SuganoThe Baltimore Orioles have signed Japanese ace Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year contract.
Read more »
Sources: Orioles, Tomoyuki Sugano agree for 1 year, $13MRight-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, 35, and the Baltimore Orioles agreed to a contract, the team announced Monday, uniting a Japanese pitcher with a team in need of rotation help, and the deal, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan, is for one year and $13 million.
Read more »
Orioles Sign Japanese Free Agent Pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano to $13 Million ContractThe Baltimore Orioles, looking to boost their starting rotation, have invested in a free agent pitcher from Japan.
Read more »
San Francisco Giants Reportedly Evaluating Japanese Free Agent Tomoyuki SuganoTomoyuki Sugano, looking to make the move to MLB after a 12-year stint with the Yomiuri Giants, is apparently being courted by the San Francisco Giants as well.
Read more »
Orioles sign veteran RHP Tomoyuki Sugano to a 1-year contract after his MVP season in JapanThe Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a one-year contract with Japanese star Tomoyuki Sugano. The right-hander is coming off an MVP season in Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League. The Orioles announced the move Monday night. The 35-year-old Sugano spent 12 years with the Yomiuri Giants. He won MVP honors last season, going 15-3 with a 1.
Read more »
Baltimore Orioles Star Falls Just Short of American League Rookie of YearBaltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser was named the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year on Monday night, announced by MLB.
Read more »