The new O’s right-hander made a great first impression in his introductory call wit the media.
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
We continue to play the waiting game for the O’s to add another starting pitcher. Among the most high-profile guys available, Corbin Burnes might not sign until after the holidays, and Roki Sasaki can’t sign until at least Jan. 15. Beyond that, a number of good-but-not-great free agents remain on the free agent and trade markets. If the O’s are making progress toward adding any of these guys, we haven’t heard about it. They tend to be pretty tight-lipped about that sort of thing.
In the meantime, the one starter they did recently sign, Japanese righty Tomoyuki Sugano, had his introductory call with the media yesterday and said all the right things. He spoke glowingly about the Orioles, their talented roster, and their pitching development staff. He called Baltimore an “incredible city” and Camden Yards a “beautiful” ballpark. He even praised the first meal he’d had in the city, at The Charleston in Harbor East. And hey, with his $13 million contract, he can afford to eat there possibly as many as two more times. (It’s a little pricey, is all I’m saying.)
For those fans speculating that the O’s signing of Sugano was meant to serve as an enticement for Sasaki to join him, the veteran NPB hurler put a damper on those hopes, saying that there is no prior relationship between the two. “I haven’t talked to him before, so I have no idea of what he’s looking for and what his interests are,” Sugano said of Sasaki. Wait, you’re telling me that two guys who have never been teammates, have a 12-year age gap, and come from completely different areas of the country don’t know each other? How odd.
I’m looking forward to watching Sugano pitch in an Orioles uniform. But I’m also looking forward to seeing what other new pitcher(s) will join him.
Links
How well will Tomoyuki Sugano transition to the majors? Here are some comps. – The Baltimore Banner
As Jon Meoli notes, there aren’t a lot of comparisons for an NPB pitcher coming to the majors at age 35, and few have had any prolonged success. I would happily take a Hiroki Kuroda type of career from Sugano, though.
More with 2024 Bowie manager Roberto Mercado on Baysox players – Steve Melewski
The Baysox manager has high praise for both a prospect who’s definitely on your radar (Enrique Bradfield Jr.) and one who might not be (Cameron Weston).
Can Sugano’s addition help Orioles sign Sasaki? | MAILBAG – BaltimoreBaseball.com
As discussed previously, Sugano probably isn’t any particular incentive for Sasaki to sign with the Orioles. But he’s not a disincentive, either. It’s not like they’re sworn enemies.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Two former Orioles were born on this day: right-hander Joey Krehbiel (32) and infielder Aubrey Huff (48).
On this date in 1995, the Orioles signed longtime Brewer B.J. Surhoff to a three-year contract. Surhoff was a great fit with the Birds, providing solid offense, defensive versatility, and gritty intensity in helping the O’s to back-to-back playoff appearances in 1996 and 1997. Surhoff ultimately spent eight years in Baltimore over two stints with the club and was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2007.
And on this day in 2000, the O’s reunited with another Orioles Hall of Famer, shortstop Mike Bordick, re-signing him just months after they’d traded him to the Mets at the deadline. Bordick held down the shortstop position for another two seasons before ending his six-year Orioles career.