The Baltimore Orioles have made a significant move to reinforce their pitching rotation, signing Japanese star Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year, $13 million contract. The 35-year-old right-hander, who has had an illustrious career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), is set to bring experience and depth to an Orioles rotation that struggled with injuries last season.
Sugano, a two-time Sawamura Award winner (the NPB equivalent of MLB’s Cy Young Award), boasts impressive career numbers. In his 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants, he amassed a 136-74 record, a 2.43 ERA, and 1,585 strikeouts over 1,857 innings. His most recent campaign in 2024 was one of his finest, finishing with a 15-3 record and a sparkling 1.67 ERA, earning him the Central League MVP honors.
The signing is a timely boost for an Orioles rotation that suffered significant setbacks last season. Injuries to key pitchers Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish, both of whom underwent elbow surgeries, left a void in the starting lineup. Sugano’s addition provides much-needed stability and leadership as the team looks to build on its recent success.
However, uncertainty looms over the Orioles’ future pitching plans. Ace Corbin Burnes, a vital part of the team’s rotation, is exploring free agency. Burnes’ departure would leave a considerable gap that Sugano alone may not fill. The Orioles have expressed interest in retaining Burnes, but with multiple teams vying for his services, his return is far from guaranteed.
Manager Brandon Hyde expressed optimism about Sugano’s potential impact. “Tomoyuki has proven himself as one of the best pitchers in the world. His ability to control games and his wealth of experience will be invaluable to our team,” Hyde said.
The Orioles’ front office has been active this offseason, signaling their commitment to building a competitive roster. In addition to Sugano’s signing, the team is rumored to be exploring other moves to solidify their rotation and bullpen.
With spring training just weeks away, the Orioles’ roster is beginning to take shape. Sugano’s signing not only fills an immediate need but also sends a clear message that the team is serious about contending in 2024. Whether they can retain Burnes or make additional moves remains to be seen, but the addition of Sugano marks a significant step forward for the franchise.