Orioles sign Japan's Tomoyuki Sugano to major league contract

The Orioles went the international route to find a starting pitcher.

The team announced this evening that it signed Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, 35, to a one-year major league contract. ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported that the deal pays $13 million.

Sugano has spent his entire 12-year professional career with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League in Japan, and his numbers and accolades are impressive. He won the Central League’s Most Valuable Player this season after going 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA - 29 earned runs in 156 2/3 innings – 0.945 WHIP, 132 hits, 16 walks and 111 strikeouts in 24 starts, including three complete games and one shutout. He surrendered only six home runs.

Still strong as he ages, Sugano posted a 2.6 percent walk rate and 0.9 walks per nine innings that ranked as the lowest of his career. He led NPB in wins and his ERA was second – and the second-lowest of his career.

Sugano has gone 136-74 with a 2.43 ERA, 1.031 WHIP and 1,585 strikeouts in 276 career games over 1,857 innings with the Giants. He’s a three-time Central League Most Valuable Player, three-time Central League Golden Glove winner, eight-time All-Star, two-time Eiji Sawamura Award honoree - presented to the top pitcher in NPB - and MVP of the 2013 Central League Climax Series that’s the playoff format in NPB.

There’s more. Sugano earned baseball’s Triple Crown in 2018 after leading NPB in wins, ERA and strikeouts. He gained exposure in the U.S. by pitching for Team Japan in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, starting the semifinal game against Team USA on March 21 at Dodger Stadium and permitting one unearned run and three hits with one walk with six strikeouts in six innings.

Because he’s completed nine seasons, Sugano (pronounced “toh-moh-yoo-kee soo-GAH-noh) isn’t subjected to the posting system. He has a six-pitch mix, including a four-seam fastball that averaged 92 mph, according to ESPN.

It’s unknown where Sugano slots in the Orioles’ rotation or how his pitch-to-contact approach will work in the majors, but executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias has sought a starting pitcher to join Grayson Rodriguez, Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer. He’s stayed in contact with agent Scott Boras regarding Corbin Burnes, the top starter on the market, and had interest in Blake Snell before the left-hander signed with the Dodgers.

Elias acquired a pitcher who didn’t break the bank or cost prospects from the No. 3 farm system in baseball per MLB Pipeline. And he might not be done.

Sugano’s contract equals the $13 million that the Orioles gave closer Craig Kimbrel last December. He’s the third free agent to sign after outfielder Tyler O’Neill for three years and $49.5 million and catcher Gary Sánchez for one year at $8.5 million.

The current rotation could include Cade Povich, Trevor Rogers or Albert Suárez. Chayce McDermott and Brandon Young also will compete in spring training.

Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish are expected to return in the second half after undergoing ligament-reconstructive elbow surgeries.

The 40-man roster is full.