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5 older free agents the Pirates should sign this offseason

Bringing in an older free agent might be a good idea.

ByNoah Wright|
Mar 21, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Japan pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (11) throws a pitch during the first inning against United States during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Japan pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (11) throws a pitch during the first inning against United States during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
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Tomoyuki Sugano

Roki Sasaki is the big name coming over from Japan this winter, and you can't entirely rule out the possibility of the Pirates signing the flamethrower. Another noteworthy name from Japan, Tomoyuki Sugano, will also make the jump to MLB. Sugano was originally posted in 2020 after winning his second MVP, but ultimately did not sign. He'll make another attempt this winter to find a home in the United States after coming off another strong season.

Sugano pitched to a 1.67 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 6.94 K:BB ratio throughout 156.2 innings last season. The veteran right-hander has exemplary command and walked 2.6% of his opponents in 2024. Sugano's 18.3% strikeout rate may not look great on paper, but was about league average in the Japan Central League. Sugano also was great at limiting home runs with an 0.35 HR/9 rate.

Even in an ultra-pitcher-friendly league where the average ERA is under 3.00, Sugano still stood out among his fellow pitchers. Sugano had the second-best ERA, WHIP, and K:BB ratio among pitchers with at least 100 IP. He was also the only starting pitcher in the league with a BB/9 ratio under 1.00.

According to Sports Info Solutions, Sugano relies on a wide variety of pitches. The right-hander averages out in the low 90s with his four-seam fastball and two-seamer. His primary breaking pitch is a low-80s slider, but according to ESPN, he also tosses an upper-80s cutter. Sugano's primary offspeed offering is a splitter, and he also dials up an upper-70s curveball. With a sub-3% walk rate and BB/9 under 1.00, it shouldn't have to be said, but Sugano has outstanding command. Career-wise, Sugano's walk rate is just 4.7%.

MLB Trade Rumors has Sugano making $12 million on a one-year deal. 2025 will be his age-35 campaign. Sugano may not have the potent stuff of fellow countryman Roki Sasaki, but his numbers would not have looked out of place on the back of a Greg Maddux baseball card. Sugano could slot right into the Pirates' starting rotation and would let them be more flexible with pitching depth in trade talks this offseason.

(Note that, unlike Sasaki, Sugano is old enough with enough service time that he is allowed to sign a Major League deal.)

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