Mets Rumors: Team considering Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano

The latest New York Mets rumors reveal that the team is leaving no stone unturned in their quest to find starting pitchers to fill out their rotation with their interest in Yomiuri Giants pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano.

The latest round of New York Mets rumors indicate that the team is investigating other starting pitchers on the free agent market outside of Trevor Bauer. If the latest Mets rumors are true, they indicate that the team is willing to look internationally to fill out their rotation.

According to the New York Post, the Mets are looking into Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, and are considering signing him to fill one of the slots in the starting rotation. Sugano, who is 31 years old, is expected to receive a multiyear deal, and as one of the top pitchers on the free agent market, is expected to have many teams interested in him, including the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays.

Sugano has had a storied career in Japan. Over eight seasons, he has compiled a 101-49 record with a 2.32 ERA. He has also won the Sawamura Award twice, which is the Japanese equivalent of MLB’s Cy Young Award. 2020 was an important year for Sugano after spending 2019 dealing with a back injury. Sugano was able to push health concerns aside and return to his dominant self, posting a 14-2 record with a 1.97 ERA.

Sugano profiles as a potential top or mid-rotation starter. While he does not throw as hard as deGrom or Syndergaard, Sugano is a pitcher who relies on pinpoint command and the diversity of pitches he can mix and match to get hitters out. With the Mets bringing aboard James McCann as their new starting catcher, someone who is above-average amongst catchers in framing pitches, Sugano is a pitcher who could benefit greatly from working with McCann.

Sugano makes a lot of sense for the Mets. Their rotation, as it currently stands, is tenuous at best. Considering their rotation behind Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman consists of David Peterson and Steven Matz, along with the fact that Noah Syndergaard will not be returning until the summer at the earliest, the team needs to add two capable starting pitchers.

Matz is better suited for the bullpen after his disastrous performance in 2020, and Seth Lugo is much more valuable to the team in the bullpen as well. Signing two starting pitchers would also give the Mets some insurance in their rotation going forward. Matz, Stroman, and Syndergaard are all entering their walk years, and the team needs to be prepared for the fact that they will not be able to retain all of them.

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The Mets rumors have been very active as of late despite the lack of action after the McCann signing. As Christmas arrives and 2021 encroaches, it can be expected that the Mets will continue to be linked to several starting pitchers as they look to remedy their biggest need before the 2021 season commences.