Tomoyuki Sugano, who had been on the radar of the Mets and Yankees this offseason, reached a four-year, $ 40 million deal to return to the Yomiuri Giants, a Japanese baseball team. according to The Athletic.
As previously reported, the deal includes three foreclosure options, meaning the right-hander could re-enter the MLB free agent market next low season. According to the website, the one-year salary with the Yomiuri Giants is expected to be at $ 8 million.
Sugano, 31, won 14-2 with an effectiveness of 1.97, a WHIP of 0.89 and 131 attacks in 137 innings in 2020. In eight seasons with the Giants, Sugano has recorded a record of 101- 50 with an ERA of 2.34 and has twice won the Sawamura Award as the best pitcher in Nippon professional baseball.
Joel Sherman of The Post confirmed a few days ago that the Mets were no longer on the hunt for Sugano. He had also been linked with the Giants, Blue Jays and Red Sox.
The Yankees, who face many questions about their initial rotation, have had contrasting results with Japanese pitchers over the past two decades. Free agent Masahiro Tanaka has been the most successful for the Yankees and Hiroki Kuroda had a solid stint in the Bronx. But Hideki Irabu and Kei Igawa were busts of great price.