The Baltimore Orioles have made a surprising splash in free agency, inking Japanese pitching star Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year, $13 million contract. The signing, first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, brings one of Nippon Professional Baseball’s most accomplished hurlers to an Orioles rotation in need of reinforcements.
Sugano Brings Impressive Pedigree
The 35-year-old Sugano won the Sawamura Award, NPB’s equivalent of the Cy Young, in both 2017 and 2018 as the ace of the Yomiuri Giants. Nearly signed by MLB teams after being posted in 2020, the righty instead returned to Yomiuri where he dominated again this past season.
In 24 starts, Sugano compiled a sparkling 15-3 record to go along with a minuscule 1.67 ERA. Over 156.2 innings, he struck out 111 batters while issuing a mere 16 free passes and allowing only 6 home runs. Though his fastball averages around 92 mph, Sugano kept hitters off balance by throwing his slider, cutter, curve, and splitter nearly two-thirds of the time.
Bolstering the Birds
Baltimore has actively sought rotation help this offseason with Corbin Burnes hitting free agency and young starters Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells on the mend from Tommy John surgery. Sugano joins offseason signing Zach Eflin along with Grayson Rodriguez and Dean Kremer in a revamped starting five.
“Tomoyuki gives us another proven veteran to stabilize the staff,” said a source in the Orioles front office. “His track record in Japan speaks for itself. We think he’ll be a great fit in Baltimore.”
While the Orioles have not ruled out a run at re-signing Burnes, his price tag is expected to soar past the $161 million contract that represented the largest free agent deal in franchise history when first baseman Chris Davis signed it in 2016. Under the new ownership of private equity billionaire David Rubenstein, the O’s have begun to open the purse strings, but a Burnes reunion still seems like a long shot.
Adjusting to Camden Yards
Sugano will have to adjust to an Oriole Park at Camden Yards that plays a bit fairer than in years past. Baltimore plans to move the left-field wall back by up to 20 feet in some areas after it became a fly ball cemetery in recent seasons. Known for inducing grounders throughout his NPB career, Sugano got opposing hitters to pound the ball into the dirt at a 51.1% clip in 2023.
A Substantial Addition
Between Sugano’s hefty $13 million salary and the $49.5 million due to newly-acquired outfielder Tyler O’Neill over the next three years, Baltimore has added substantial payroll this winter. Spotrac estimates the club’s 2025 financial commitments now exceed $110 million, a notable increase for a franchise that ranked in the bottom third of MLB team spending for six straight years.
“The Orioles are making a statement that they intend to contend in the highly competitive AL East,” a rival American League executive said. “Signing an accomplished pitcher like Sugano shows they’re serious about improving the on-field product. They may not be done adding yet.”
Riding the Pitching Market Wave
Sugano’s deal looks reasonable in the context of a red-hot market for starting pitching. From nine-figure contracts for aces like Corbin Burnes and Max Fried down to $15+ million pacts for mid-rotation starters such as Alex Cobb, teams have not hesitated to spend on arms early in the offseason.
The Sawamura Award winner will be counted on to provide stability and veteran leadership to a young Baltimore staff as the Orioles look to build on consecutive playoff appearances. With a masterful mix of pitches and pinpoint control, Sugano seems well-suited to make a seamless transition to the Majors and the cozy confines of Camden Yards.
