While Mets fans may be dreaming of adding Trevor Bauer to their rotation, there is another ace on the market the team could opt for instead.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are looking into Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, with one executive saying the “Mets have as good a chance as anyone.”
The Mets’ interest in Sugano, who is being posted by Japan’s most renown franchise – the Yomiuri Giants -- should come as no surprise as the team looks to bolster and already formidable rotation, but landing him would certainly be a big deal and a sign that the Steve Cohen era will be different for the Mets.
Typically, it has been the Yankees who have long had success in signing stars from Japan. The Mets’ biggest signing out of Japan was Kazuo Matsui, who struggled to find the same success in the majors.
Sugano, 31, may not have the hype as previous Japanese pitchers such as Masahiro Tanaka, Yu Darvish and Shohei Ohtani due to his age, but he is undoubtedly a star in Japan.
He is a two-time Sawamura award winner – the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young – and finished last season 14-2 with a 1.97 ERA in 137.1 innings all while pitching on the big stage of the Yomiuri Giants – which is akin to pitching for the Yankees.
MLB fans may remember Sugano from the 2017 World Baseball Classic when he pitched six innings and allowed one unearned run against a Team USA lineup that boasted Nolan Arenado, Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich.
Sugano’s fastball is not overpowering – typically between 90-92 mph – but has a strong repertoire and reputation for pinpoint control.
According to Sherman, Zack Greinke would be an appropriate major league comparison to Sugano.
A decision on Sugano needs to be made rather soon. Per the agreement between MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball, players who are posted have one month to either sign or return to play in Japan. For Sugano, a contract must be completed by 5 p.m. Jan. 7.
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