Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Joel Sherman of the NY Post is reporting that the Mets are looking into Tomoyuki Sugano. Sherman said an executive told him that the Mets “have as good a chance as anyone.”
After Trevor Bauer, Sugano and Jake Odorizzi are seen as the second and third best starters in free agency. Sugano was posted to MLB teams in early December by the Yomiuri Giants. As per Sherman’s article, a team will need to have a deal in place by January 7th, 5 p.m.
Earlier this offseason, our own Thomas Hall wrote that the Mets should go after Sugano.
The bidding process for Sugano would require teams to agree to a deal with him. The posting fee would be determined by how large of a contract the player would get. The previous system had a maximum bidding amount of $20 million.
In terms of his repertoire, Sugano projects as more of a finesse pitcher rather than a guy with wipe-out stuff. His great command should allow him to be a very good number three in the big leagues.
As Sherman mentioned in his article and as reiterated above, a deal for Sugano should move quickly so we should find out rather quickly whether or not the Mets are serious about their pursuit of Sugano.
