Tomoyuki Sugano has arrived in America and is reportedly meeting with his agent as he weighs final offers from several major league teams, according to Japanese outlet Hochi News.
Sugano’s deadline to sign a deal is Jan. 7 at 5 p.m.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi has reported that the Mets are among five teams actively pursuing the right-hander, along with the Blue Jays, Padres, Giants and Red Sox. Since that report, the Padres have brought in both Blake Snell and Yu Darvish to bolster their rotation, so it’s possible they could be out of the running.
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Last month, Joel Sherman cited a non-Mets executive saying that the Mets had “as good a chance as anyone” to sign Sugano. Sherman also said that executives believe that big-market teams will have a “distinct” advantage to land him.
Sugano, 31, had an outstanding season for the Yomiuri Giants in 2020, posting a 14-2 record with a 1.97 ERA, striking out 131 batters and walking 25 in 137 1/3 innings.
Most scouts believe Sugano -- who features a low-90s fastball, plus slider, and elite command -- profiles as a mid-rotation starter in the majors, with the ceiling of a No. 2 starter. Unsurprisingly, he’s viewed as the prize of the overseas market this offseason.
