Tomoyuki Sugano, a pitcher the Yankees once considered to bolster their rotation, is back on the market. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the 35-year-old will enter Major League Baseball as an international free agent this winter after spending his entire career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with the Yomiuri Giants.
Yankees’ rotation outlook and Sugano’s chances
Sports Illustrated stated that Sugano’s resume in Japan speaks for itself, which could lead to him joining the Yankees. Sugano posted a 1.67 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP in 24 starts this season for the Central League champion Giants. His accolades include two Sawamura Awards (Japan’s equivalent to the Cy Young Award), two Central League MVP awards, and four ERA titles. According to The Athletic, the Yankees previously viewed Sugano as a potential boost for their rotation, but talks faltered, and he signed a four-year, $40 million deal to return to the Yomuri Giants.
This time, Sugano can negotiate without the restrictions of the posting system, which could make his MLB transition smoother. However, at 35, his age and the Yankees’ current pitching depth might pose challenges to finding a fit.
Sugano’s six-pitch mix includes a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, slider, cutter, splitter, and curveball. He allowed only 16 walks and six home runs over 156.2 innings this year. While his control is a strength, the velocity of his fastball—topping out in the low 90s—might not align with the Yankees’ typical pitching profile.
The Yankees have had mixed results with Japanese pitchers in the past. Masahiro Tanaka and Hiroki Kuroda were successful additions, while Hideki Irabu and Kei Igawa struggled to meet expectations. Sugano’s transition to MLB, relying heavily on control and craft, could add complexity to the decision.
The Yankees’ rotation for 2025 appears set, with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, Nestor Cortes Jr., and Marcus Stroman. While Sugano’s price might be lower than some other free agents, his addition would add competition to an already crowded rotation.
Sugano’s availability gives the Yankees another option as they assess their rotation needs for 2025. Whether the Yankees will revisit their interest in Sugano depends on how well they believe his skills will translate to MLB and if he fits into their plans for the upcoming season.
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