The Baltimore Orioles are having a forgettable season after a second-place finish in the American League East last season with a 91-71 record and a postseason berth.
This season, they are in last place in the division with an 18-34 record and could be considering trading several players come the trade deadline.
One of those players could be right-handed pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano. Sugano, 35, is 4-3 with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He is only under contract for this season.
According to Jim Riley of BALLCAP Sports, the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants could be in play for the 35-year-old.
The Cubs could be in play after Justin Steele had season-ending surgery, and Shota Imanaga isn’t expected back until mid-to-late June. They have had trouble with starting pitching recently, a unit that is 20th in ERA and could use a boost.
The Red Sox might also be a suitor for Sugano’s efforts. The Red Sox have the eighth worst starting pitching ERA in Major League Baseball, and despite Garrett Crochet having a great year, the rotation lacks stability right now. Boston could have a better chance of a postseason berth if they pursued Sugano.
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The Giants, Riley’s prediction to land Sugano, are another potential buyer. Sitting just one game back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, bringing in Sugano strengthens San Francisco’s rotation that is 13th in starting pitching ERA. Robbie Ray is having a career resurgence and Logan Webb looks as good as ever; Sugano would be a nice addition to this team as they seek their first playoff berth since 2021.
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