Rejection of 4-year contract proposal for MLB re-challenge and 1-year contract
Pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (32, Yomiuri Giants), who was unable to advance to the MLB, signed a contract for 800 million yen (about 8.4 billion won), the highest annual salary.
Sugano was offered a four-year contract from the Yomiuri club, but chose a one-year contract to try again in the big leagues.
On the 15th, Japanese sports hochi and others reported that Sugano opened the era of 800 million yen per year for the first time in Japanese professional baseball history.
Sugano signed a contract for 800 million yen, exceeding the previous high of Roberto Petageini’s 720 million yen in 2003.
Petageini also played for Yomiuri at the time, and from 2008 to 2009, he played in the KBO League LG Twins.
When narrowing down to Japanese players, the highest amount was 650 million yen by Sasaki Kazuhiro Sasaki, the “Demon God” of Yokohama DeNA Basetas in 2004 and 2005.
Sugano, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Sasaki’s salary last year, was recognized as the best player in Japan, surpassing even this year.
Sugano reaffirmed his resolution, saying, “As much as you get a lot of salary, you feel burdened, and you have to play an active part worthy of that amount.
Sugano challenged to advance to the MLB after winning 14 wins, 2 losses and an average ERA of 1.97, including 13 consecutive wins from the opening game last season.
However, when he did not receive a satisfactory offer from the posting system (private competitive bidding), he turned to Yomiuri after consideration.
“I didn’t choose to stay because of the money,” Sugano said firmly.
The Yomiuri club offered a four-year contract, but he dared to choose a one-year contract.
“It’s not that we don’t have the opportunity yet.
After the end of this season, I want to challenge the MLB again.”
Sugano will participate in Yomiuri’s Spring Camp in Okinawa from February 1 after quarantine.
/yunhap news
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