Tue Dec 17 00:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Orioles Sign Two-Time Sawamura Award Winner Tomoyuki Sugano to One-Year, $13 Million Deal

**Baltimore, MD** – The Baltimore Orioles have bolstered their pitching rotation with the signing of Japanese star Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year, $13 million contract, the team announced Monday. The 35-year-old right-hander, a two-time winner of the Sawamura Award (Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young Award), joins the Orioles after a stellar season in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Sugano, who boasts a remarkable 1.67 ERA in 24 starts this year, was highly sought after following a near-MLB move in 2020. His repertoire features a mix of fastballs and off-speed pitches, with nearly two-thirds of his pitches this season being off-speed offerings. His impressive 2023 season saw him post a 15-3 record, 111 strikeouts, and only 16 walks in 156.2 innings.

The Orioles, coming off two consecutive postseason appearances, are actively seeking to fortify their pitching staff. This signing comes as the team navigates the free agency market, with Corbin Burnes also a target, though his potential contract is expected to significantly exceed the Orioles’ previous largest free agent deal. The team is also recovering from injuries to key pitchers Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells.

Sugano’s signing, along with the recent three-year, $49.5 million deal for outfielder Tyler O’Neill, brings the Orioles’ projected 2025 payroll to approximately $110 million. This reflects a significant investment by the team’s new ownership, following several seasons with significantly lower payroll figures.

Sugano will face the challenge of pitching in a Camden Yards that will be less pitcher-friendly next season, due to planned renovations pushing back the left-field wall. However, his history of inducing ground balls suggests he may adapt well to the changes. The 13-year veteran joins a rotation that includes Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, and Dean Kremer, adding significant experience and talent to the Orioles’ pitching staff.

Read More