Free agent Tomoyuki Sugano is not planning to return to Nippon Professional Baseball, per a report from Yahoo Japan (hat tip here for the translation). The report cited a recent television interview from Sugano in which he said he’s “not considering” coming back to NPB. He has connected with multiple teams and is “waiting for offers.”
The report doesn’t mention any suitors, and it also doesn’t clearly state that the teams Sugano was referring to were in MLB, but it seems like a safe assumption. With the longtime NPB hurler rebuffing the idea that he’d return to Japan after one year in MLB, he’s presumably working through negotiations with big-league clubs. The recent interview echoes the sentiments Sugano shared near the end of last season.
Sugano signed a one-year, $13MM deal with Baltimore last offseason. He posted a 4.64 ERA across 30 outings. The righty got off to a solid start, putting up a 3.04 ERA through a dozen appearances, before falling off as the season went on. Sugano had an xFIP and a SIERA in the mid-4.00s during that stretch, so regression was coming.
Never a big strikeout pitcher, Sugano struggled mightily to miss bats stateside. His 15.7% strikeout rate ranked in the 6th percentile. He had the fourth-lowest swinging-strike rate among pitchers who threw at least 150 innings. Given that Sugano had a stellar 5.3% walk rate, plenty of balls were put in play against him. Sugano ceded a hefty 11.8% barrel rate and an above-average fly ball rate. That combo is part of the reason he gave up 33 home runs, the third-most in the league.
Sugano spent 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants before joining the Orioles. He capped off his time in NPB with a strong 2024 that saw him go 15-3 with a pristine 1.67 ERA. Sugano pushed his low walk rate down to a miniscule 2.6% that season. He didn’t receive a ton of fanfare last offseason, but landed a decent commitment from Baltimore.
The 36-year-old Sugano boasts a six-pitch arsenal. His mix is fairly unique, as his splitter and sweeper lead the way in terms of usage. Sugano’s four-seamer averaged just 92.7 mph, but he also threw a sinker and cutter at least 12% of the time. The full repertoire resulted in an underwhelming 92 Stuff+ last season.
Photo courtesy of Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images
You don’t say.
He did say.
I’m down for thew braves to give him 1/8m$ offer and see.
pardon thy spelling.
Cut that salary in half then give it to another team, and I agree.
yeah I looked at his savant page and that is a lot more blue than i thought their would be, a 5.81 xERA is putrid. I don’t want him no more so go to the Chisox or Rockies.
Late career Kyle Gibson had similar results and was given $5m+ for those final years. Innings eater, low K, mid 4 or higher ERA
@dam but this guy was figured out in the second half. I imagine his sophomore year will not go as well. He also doesn’t have the stuff to covert to the bullpen. Even at 1/$4million, I’d be upset at my team for guaranteeing the roster spot.
I’d take him for the right price, which would have to be pretty low. 1-2 mil. But even then, I don’t think his stuff will do well in the Braves park
But does MLB want him to stay? I could see him getting a very small deal or maybe even a minor league w/ ST invite, but not much more. He will be 36 on Opening Day and wasn’t really THAT impressive at 35.
He could be the Ace in Colorado.
Wouldn’t have to move far for a 1yr low $ deal chewing up some innings for Nationals.
I feel like he could do well somewhere, but i damn if he doesn’t need to cut down on the home run ball. He was serviceable for my O’s but still very flawed.
The prior article talks about Pittsburgh’s options for the back of their rotation. Sugano could be a decent answer.
Statcast park factors had PNC Park rated as the hardest place to hit homers last season, and the park overall is rated at 26 of 30 for offense.
His stuff could still be of use in a place like that.
Even if Pittsburgh specifically doesn’t go after him, a scenario like that would make sense. Ideally, somewhere outside of the AL East.
The Angels need reliable innings. Kyle Hendricks and Tyler Anderson combined for over 300 innings last year and have not really been replaced.
I’d prefer Littell but beggars can’t be choosers.
Could be what happens if Kona Takahashi came. No wonder he didn’t get an offer, thanks to Sugano.
Fairly unique. Does that mean one of a kind, but not?
Welcome to the Sacramento Athletics.
Related: x.com/pigtownsports/status/2015572290545606920?s=4…
Padres
Bad team that wants an inning sponge. I think he’s going to be terrible if he comes back. At least it won’t cost the next team $13MM.
Solid 4/5 starter or even spot starter I’ll do 1 year 5.5 million.
Seems like the kind of pitcher the Twins usually have a hard-on for. Costs more than $10 though so they’ve probably bowed out of the bidding.