Long one of Japan’s best pitchers, Sagano was posted by Yomiuri after the 2020 season and had several suitors, but he wound up signing a four-year, $40 million deal to stay put. That contract had a clause that allowed him to explore international free agency after the 2021 season, but following something of a down year, he declined to exercise it. Even accounting for the low offense environment in Japan right now, Sagano has had a terrific 2024, going 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA and a 111/16 K/BB in 156 2/3 innings. He turns 35 later this month, and his fastball sits in the 90-93 mph range, so he probably won’t land a huge contract an MLB team this winter. There will be significant interest, though.
