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| Sugano Tomoyuki signs the highest amount ever in Japanese professional baseball. © AFP=News1 |
Tomoyuki Sugano, 32, who chose to return to the Yomiuri Giants instead of advancing to the major leagues, signed a contract for the highest amount of Japanese professional baseball ever.
Japan’s Nikkan Sports and other media reported on the 14th that “Sugano has set a record for the highest annual salary in Japanese professional baseball. It stamped 800 million yen (about 8.4 billion won), an increase of 150 million yen from last year (650 million yen).” did.
Previously, the highest annual salary in Japanese professional baseball was Roberto Petageni, which was 720 million yen (about 7.6 billion won) per year.
After the 2020 season, Sugano aimed to advance to the big leagues through postings, but when he did not receive a satisfactory offer, he chose to remain in Yomiuri.
Sugano’s highest price is somewhat expected. However, the contract was concluded for less than 40 million dollars (annual average of about 10.9 billion won) in 4 years, which was originally known in the US.
Sugano made it clear that he would challenge the major league again by stamping a 1-year contract instead of a 4-year long-term contract. He said, “I want to challenge the major league again after this season.”
Sugano, who returned from the United States on the 9th, is currently in self-quarantine for two weeks.
After signing an annual salary, Sugano said, “It is burdensome, but I feel nervous because I think I have to play an active part that matches the salary.”
After being quarantined, Sugano will participate in Yomiuri’s spring camp in Okinawa starting on the 1st of next month.
Sugano came out in 137⅓ innings in 20 games last year, with 14 wins and 2 losses and an average ERA of 1.97. With many wins and two wins, he has established himself as the best pitcher in Japanese professional baseball.
His career record for eight seasons was 101 wins and 49 losses, an ERA of 2.32.