Tomoyuki Sugano Joins Orioles: A Game-Changer for Baltimore’s Rotation?
It’s official: Tomoyuki Sugano, one of Japan’s most decorated pitchers, is heading to the big leagues. The Baltimore Orioles announced on Monday night that they’ve signed the 35-year-old right-hander to a one-year, $13 million deal, according to sources at ESPN. This move brings a proven international star to a team that’s been actively searching for reinforcements in their starting rotation. Let’s break it all down.
A Long-Awaited MLB Debut
Sugano’s journey to Major League Baseball has been a long time coming. A two-time winner of the prestigious Sawamura Award—Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young Award—Sugano was first posted by the Yomiuri Giants back in December 2020. However, he didn’t sign with an MLB team at the time and instead returned to Japan, where he continued to dominate. Fast forward to 2024, and Sugano is coming off a stellar season that rivals his best years in 2017 and 2018, when he won the Sawamura Award.
In 24 starts this year, Sugano posted a 15-3 record with a jaw-dropping 1.67 ERA. Over 156.2 innings, he struck out 111 batters, walked just 16, and allowed only six home runs. While his fastball clocks in at a modest 92 mph, Sugano’s real strength lies in his off-speed arsenal. Nearly two-thirds of his pitches this season were off-speed, including a slider, cutter, curveball, and split-fingered fastball. It’s this mix of precision and deception that has made him such a force on the mound.
Why Baltimore? Why Now?
The Orioles have been busy this offseason, scouring the free-agent market for pitching talent. With Corbin Burnes hitting free agency and key arms like Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells recovering from elbow surgeries, Baltimore needed to bolster its rotation. Sugano joins a group that already includes Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, and Dean Kremer. Together, they’ll aim to keep the Orioles competitive after back-to-back postseason appearances.
But Sugano’s signing is just one piece of the puzzle. Baltimore is still in the hunt to re-sign Burnes, though sources say the price tag could exceed the franchise’s record-setting $161 million deal with Chris Davis. With private equity titan David Rubenstein now at the helm of the team, the Orioles are looking to shed their reputation for low payrolls. For context, the team’s Opening Day payroll ranked 26th or lower among MLB’s 30 teams for six straight seasons before Rubenstein’s purchase in August.
Crunching the Numbers
Between Sugano’s $13 million deal and the three-year, $49.5 million contract for outfielder Tyler O’Neill, Baltimore’s 2025 payroll is projected to hit around $110 million. That’s a significant jump for a team that’s historically been frugal. And they’re not alone in spending big this offseason. The pitching market has been red-hot, with deals ranging from Max Fried’s $218 million contract to Alex Cobb’s one-year, $15 million agreement.
What to Expect from Sugano
As Sugano prepares for his 13th professional season, he’ll face a new challenge: pitching in Camden Yards. The Orioles are making changes to their ballpark, moving the left-field wall back by as much as 20 feet in some areas. While this could make the park less pitcher-friendly, Sugano’s groundball-heavy style should help him adapt. This year, he induced groundballs on 51.1% of balls in play, a stat that bodes well for his transition to MLB.
Key Takeaways
- Proven Track Record: Sugano’s 1.67 ERA and 15-3 record in 2024 highlight his dominance.
- Pitching Arsenal: A mix of off-speed pitches makes him a deceptive and effective hurler.
- Team Fit: Baltimore’s rotation gets a much-needed boost with Sugano’s arrival.
- Financial Commitment: The Orioles are signaling a willingness to spend, with payroll climbing to $110 million.
All eyes will be on Sugano as he makes his MLB debut. Can he replicate his success from Japan on the biggest stage? Will he be the missing piece that helps Baltimore make another deep postseason run? One thing’s for sure: Orioles fans have plenty to be excited about heading into 2025.
Originally Written by: Kiley McDaniel
