Baseball: Tomoyuki Sugano aims to help Orioles contend for World Series

New Baltimore Orioles right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano said Thursday he joined the American League club for a chance to win Major League Baseball’s World Series.

The 35-year-old international free agent inked a reported one-year, $13 million contract with the Orioles, who are looking to take the next step after two straight trips to the postseason.

“They have a fantastic pitching staff and expressed their desire to win in the playoffs and the World Series. I could feel their enthusiasm,” Sugano said in his introductory online press conference.

“I want to make it my number one goal to become world champions.”

Sugano this year won his third Central League MVP award after going 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA in 24 games for the Yomiuri Giants. He previously sought a move to MLB after the 2020 season via the posting system but did not agree to a contract.

The veteran is expected to be in the starting rotation as the Orioles seek to improve on a second-place finish in the AL East this year.

“I received an offer from a great team,” Sugano said. “I have no worries or concerns and I’m ready to adapt to any environment. I’ll give it my all over the next year.”

Sugano has a 136-74 career record with a 2.43 ERA in 276 games over 12 Nippon Professional Baseball seasons, all with the Tokyo-based Giants. He won the Eiji Sawamura Award, which recognizes the most outstanding starting pitcher in Japan, in 2017 and 2018.

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