Hey, a rumor!
The San Francisco Giants have yet to sign any players to Major League deals this offseason … well, except for players that were already in their system. But we at least have some reported interest to get excited about!
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Giants have been evaluating right-handed starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano … who plays for the Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan. He looks good in a Giants jersey!
Tomoyuki Sugano’s image on a wall of Yomiuri Giants legends at the Tokyo Dome. The @MLB team by the same name — the San Francisco Giants — are among the teams evaluating Sugano, 35, now that he has global free agency rights this offseason. @MLBNetwork pic.twitter.com/kPOxxDtmX5
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 23, 2024
Sugano, 35, might not carry the prestige of his countryman Rōki Sasaki, but, like Sasaki, he’s a talented arm who will be fairly affordable. He was listed on the top 50 free agents list by both The Athletic and MLB Trade Rumors, (Nos. 35 and 46, respectively), with the former predicting a one-year, $11 million contract, and the latter a one-year, $12 million deal. Whichever team signs him will also have to pay a posting fee, though that doesn’t count towards the salary cap.
While Sugano is not an overpowering pitcher, he has masterful command. In 24 games last year he had just a 1.67 ERA, and while he only struck out 111 batters in 156.2 innings, he only walked 16, which is extremely impressive. For comparison, in Kodai Senga’s final year in the NPB, he had a 1.89 ERA with 159 strikeouts to 50 walks in 148 innings.
The Giants certainly need to sign at least one starting pitcher this offseason, and while Sugano is not the best pitcher on the market, he’s definitely one of the most intriguing.
How many days until Opening Day?
Only 122 now!