Mets potentially eyeing Japanese pitching sensation Tomoyuki Sugano
Mets Eyeing Japanese Pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano for Rotation Boost
The New York Mets are reportedly considering a surprising move, potentially signing Tomoyuki Sugano, a star pitcher from Japan, from the international pool instead of the domestic free-agency or trade market.
Sugano, a 31-year-old right-handed pitcher, is known for his low-90's fastball, effective slider, and pinpoint command. His impressive pitching arsenal was on full display in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where he pitched six innings against Team USA, allowing no runs on three hits with six strikeouts.
Sugano has been a staple for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan for nearly a decade. In the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB), he has a record of 101 wins and 49 losses with a 2.34 ERA, a 1.032 WHIP, and a 4.58 strikeouts-to-walk ratio. Despite his success in Japan, Sugano has not yet been signed by any Major League Baseball team.
A non-Mets MLB executive reported that the Mets have "as good a chance as anyone," to sign Sugano. If he does make the jump to the majors, his contract is expected to be comparable to those of Jake Odorizzi and Masahiro Tanaka.
For the Mets, Sugano could be a likely candidate for a mid-rotation role behind Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman. However, the effectiveness of Sugano within an MLB rotation remains uncertain, with opinions ranging from top-end arm to a No. 3 or 4 spot.
The deadline for Major League Baseball teams to sign Sugano is January 7, as he was posted by the Yomiuri Giants on December 7. The Mets have not yet signed Sugano, but he remains a potential option to bolster their rotation.
It's worth noting that reports of the Mets' potential signing of Sugano were made by Joel Sherman of the New York Post on Tuesday. However, Sugano is currently a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, and there was speculation about whether he might be traded during the trade deadline in late July 2025. By the deadline on July 31, 2025, Sugano was among notable starting pitchers who were not traded.
In conclusion, while Sugano's future with the Mets is still uncertain, his potential signing could significantly strengthen the team's rotation. The Mets have been linked to Trevor Bauer, Jake Odorizzi, and Masahiro Tanaka as potential options to bolster their rotation, but Sugano's unique pitching style and impressive track record in Japan make him an intriguing option. The next few weeks will likely provide more clarity on whether the Mets will indeed add Sugano to their roster.
The New York Mets are reportedly considering signing Tomoyuki Sugano, a highly skilled Japanese pitcher, to boost their rotation, potentially setting him as a candidate for a mid-rotation role. If Sugano successfully transitions to Major League Baseball, his contract could be comparable to those of notable pitchers like Jake Odorizzi and Masahiro Tanaka.
