SF Giants can pivot to affordable alternative to Tatsuya Imai in free agency

The SF Giants have made it clear that they do not want to sign a pitcher to a long-term deal. That means they will be playing in the shallow end of the pool this offseason which could lead them to Tomoyuki Sugano. 

While Tatsuya Imai is the premier Japanese free agent on the market this winter, recent reports suggest the Giants are not going to be major players in that pursuit. This is disappointing given his comments on the Los Angeles Dodgers, but perhaps not all that surprising given the way the team has operated in recent years.

SF Giants should entertain signing Tomoyuki Sugano

The team’s reticence to splurge on starting pitchers likely precludes it from going after the likes of Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez as well even though the team has two gaping holes in its starting rotation. To the bargain bin we go.

The funny thing with the pitching market is that even the bargain bin is not exactly going to provide you with a cheap starting pitcher. Cody Ponce just got a three-year $30 million deal even though his MLB stats are not great although he has seemingly found something in the KBO where he was dominant. 

Probably $10 to $15 million per year is the least a team can spend to get a decent starting pitcher in free agency. That is a decent chunk of change, but that is where things are at.

That is why the Giants should take a chance on Sugano. The longtime Japanese pitcher who put up a remarkably 2.43 ERA in his career with the NPB decided to leave the Yomiuri Giants for MLB last season. He signed with the Baltimore Orioles and had a respectable season. In 30 starts he had a 10-10 record with a 4.64 ERA in 157 innings pitched and has said he plans to pitch in 2026.

However, some of his numbers were a bit alarming. He gave up 33 homers which is the most of any pitcher in the league in 2025 and only struck out 106 batters. However, he is crafty and is known for his command so if he can get outs that is all that matters.

Plus, the Giants could get him for an affordable price which is what they obviously care about the most. He signed with Baltimore on a one-year, $13 million contract last season so the Giants could probably get him for something similar this offseason.

He is 36 years old so he is likely not a long-term solution for the rotation, but he is a proven pitcher who could be had at an affordable price and would at the very least eat up innings for the Giants and give them a solid fourth or fifth starter.

It would not be the most exciting signing, but it does not seem like the Giants are pursuing excitement this offseason. Practicality and frugality seem to be the team’s modus operandi this offseason and Sugano would fit that bill.