Orioles sign Japanese star Sugano to 1-year deal worth reported $13M

The Baltimore Orioles signed star Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year contract, the club announced Monday.

Sugano's contract is worth $13 million, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The 35-year-old right-hander heads to the majors after a dominant season with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball. Sugano won his third Central League MVP award after going 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 111 strikeouts across 24 starts to lead Yomiuri to a pennant. He walked just 16 batters and allowed only six home runs in 156 2/3 innings while also throwing three complete games and one shutout.

Sugano is one of the most accomplished pitchers in recent NPB history, sporting a lifetime 136-75 record with a 2.45 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 1,596 strikeouts over 12 seasons with the Giants. An eight-time NPB All-Star, he also owns two Eiji Sawamura Awards (Japan's Cy Young equivalent) and three Gold Gloves in addition to his three MVPs. Sugano's won four Central League ERA titles and led his league in strikeouts twice while also winning Japan's pitching Triple Crown in 2018.

Although he never won a Japan Series title, Sugano had plenty of individual postseason accolades, including the 2013 Climax Series MVP and a postseason no-hitter in 2018. He also represented his country at the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where he led the tournament in strikeouts and shut down a star-studded Team USA in the semifinal.

Sugano's six-pitch arsenal includes a fastball that tops out at around 92 mph, as well as a cutter and slider.

The Giants posted Sugano for a move to the majors after the 2020 season, but he failed to sign with an MLB team and returned to Yomiuri. He signed with the Orioles as an international free agent, meaning they don't have to pay the Tokyo-based club a posting fee.

In Baltimore, he'll likely slot in at the back of the team's rotation, giving the Orioles some much-needed length and depth. Sugano will likely compete for a back-end spot with Albert Suárez and Trevor Rogers, among others.

The Orioles, who boasted one of the best rotations in the majors last year, may not be done shopping for starting help. The team is apparently still in contact with free agent Corbin Burnes about a reunion while also reportedly showing interest in signing Jack Flaherty and trading for the Seattle Mariners' Luis Castillo.

Baltimore's already added offense this winter by signing outfielder Tyler O'Neill and catcher Gary Sánchez.