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The Chicago Cubs have the beginnings of a playoff team but still need to add some pieces. While there is some question of what they will do, if anything, to add to the club’s offense, there is little doubt the team will add a starting pitcher to its rotation. The most likely route to improve the rotation is via free agency. And while I’d like to think the Cubs will pursue high end targets like Corbin Burnes or Max Fried that’s probably unlikely.
Meet Tomoyuki Sugano
“Who is Tomoyuki Sugano,” you ask? Sugan is a pitcher who has had an outstanding career in Japan. In 12 seasons he’s put up a of a record of 134-75 with an ERA of 2.43. He’s not a huge strikeout guy, averaging 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings while walking only 1.7 hitters. He throws a fastball, slider, curve and forkball. His velocity sits at 90-93 mph, so he doesn’t blow hitters away, but he does get them out.
In reading the scouting report, he reminds me of a right-handed Shota Imanaga. And that would be a really good thing if that comp pans out. In addition to Sugano’s talent, his price range might be more in line with what the cost-conscious Cubs are looking for. Sugano turns 35 on October 11 so he may be looking for a two-or three-year contract, possibly at $15-20 million per year.
The fact that the Cubs have Shota Imanaga who was extremely effective and popular might make the team an easier sell to Sugano. In addition, the Cubs also have another Japanese player, outfielder/DH Seiya Suzuki in tow. He could potentially make the Cubs a more appealing destination for Sugano. Actually, Sugano is predicted to sign with the Cubs in some circles. I tend to agree.
But there’s more work to be done
The bullpen also needs shoring up. Last season Ben Brown was very effective out of the pen. Adding Sugano could allow the Cubs to send Brown back to the pen where he could handle some late inning work.
There are a number of relief pitchers about to hit the free agent market and the Cubs would well to pick off one or two of them. Tanner Scott would be the dream signing for Cubs fans. He’s a dominant closer with a huge fastball and has averaged over 10 strikeouts per nine innings in his career. Plus, he is left-handed.
Having Scott close, with Porter Hodge and Ben Brown available for other high leverage work could make the Cubs’ bullpen one of the more formidable in baseball. If the Cubs do nothing else but add a starter and a high leverage reliever, they should be better in 2024.
But hopefully Jed Hoyer won’t stop there.
More must-reads:
- Top moments from 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame inductions
- All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
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Top moments from 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame inductions
The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame class had its day in Cooperstown on Sunday. This year's class included Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, who were elected by the eligible voters from the Baseball Writer's Association of America, and Dave Parker and Dick Allen, who were elected by the Classic Baseball Era Committee. Here are some of the top highlights from Sunday's induction speeches. Dave Parker's son reads poem written by Hall of Fame father Parker's induction into the Hall of Fame was long overdue, and he sadly did not have the opportunity to enjoy the moment of seeing his name in the Hall of Fame as he died June 28. That left his speech in the hands of his son, Dave Parker II, who read a poem written by his dad. Parker spent the majority of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he was an MVP winner, two-time batting champion and World Series champion with the 1979 "We Are Family" team. Dick Allen's wife remembers his kindness Allen was the other veterans committee inductee, and his widow, Willa Allen, spent the majority of her speech remember the kindness of Allen off the field as much as his ability on the field. Allen is going into the Hall of Fame as a Phillie but won the 1972 American League MVP with the Chicago White Sox. He led the league in OPS four times and was the 1964 National League Rookie of the Year. A reminder that Billy Wagner wasn't naturally left-handed Being left-handed is a huge advantage (and money-maker) for pitchers, and Wagner was one of the most dominant left-handed relief pitchers to ever step onto a mound in the big leagues. But he wasn't always left-handed. Wagner was a natural-born right-handed person but taught himself how to throw left-handed after fracturing his right arm twice as a kid. It led to quite a career. Wagner made a name for himself with the Houston Astros but also spent years with the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox. CC Sabathia takes playful dig at Ichiro Sabathia accomplished a ton in his 19-year big league career. He won 251 games, won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award, was the 2009 ALCS MVP and a World Series champion. He still has apparently not gotten over the one individual award he did not win — the 2001 American League Rookie of the Year Award, which went to fellow 2025 inductee Ichiro. Sabathia made sure to make a playful dig at that. Sabathia was the only American League rookie outside of Ichiro — who also won the American League MVP that year — to get a first-place vote. He received one. The others all went to Ichiro. Ichiro stole the show Ichiro stole 509 bases in his Hall of Fame career, and on Sunday, he added one more steal to his list of accomplishments by absolutely stealing the show at Cooperstown. He delivered two of the best lines of the day, first by calling out the one lone writer who did not vote for him, keeping him from being just the second unanimous Hall of Fame inductee ever (after Mariano Rivera). His best line of the day, however, might have been when he referenced his brief time as a member of the Miami Marlins toward the end of his career. Ichiro played 14 of his 19 seasons with the Seattle Mariners while also spending time with the Marlins and Yankees.
Stephanie White Puts Indiana Fever Players on Notice Despite Win Against Aces
The Indiana Fever’s starters turned in a strong all-around effort in Thursday’s 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces. The starting unit scored at least 13 points each, save for Aari McDonald, who registered nine points in 22 minutes of action. Indiana’s starters combined for 76 out of the team’s 80 points on the evening, which only means that the four other players who came off the bench accounted for just four points in the game. All that came from Sydney Colson, who went 2-of-5 in 18 minutes of playing time. Lexie Hull, Makayla Timpson and Damiris Dantas all failed to score in the win. Stephanie White Calls Out Fever's Bench Be that as it may, offense wasn’t even the biggest concern for head coach Stephanie White. In her postgame press conference, the veteran shot-caller called out Indiana’s bench for their lack of intensity on the defensive end, particularly in the first half. “Our bench has to be ready,” she said. “I felt like our bench in the second half was really good defensively. In the first half, I didn't feel that way. You got to be ready to come in and you got to be ready to guard your matchup and execute the game plan. "We have depth for a reason. We've got quality depth and we've got to be able to use it. So if fatigue is a factor in execution, then they just need to ask for a sub and I'll get them out and get them back in." It has been a bit of a busy stretch for the Fever at the midway point of the season. Thursday’s matchup against the Aces was their second game in three nights, and they will be back in action again on Sunday in a rivalry showdown against the Chicago Sky. White, however, isn’t accepting fatigue as an excuse. This is regardless of the fact that Caitlin Clark remains out with a re-aggravated groin injury. White is adamant that this roster has been built for adversity, and she didn’t hesitate to put her bench on notice after Thursday’s showing.
Rangers Sign Former Stanley Cup Champion to Tryout Agreement
The New York Rangers are adding to their forward depth ahead of their upcoming training camp. The Rangers are entering a new chapter of their organization under new head coach Mike Sullivan. After missing the postseason last year, the organization is trying to rebound and respond accordingly in 2025 and 2026. Former Stanley Cup champion forward Conor Sheary is the latest player to join the new-look Rangers. The veteran forward agreed to a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the club and will look to earn an NHL deal with his performance in training camp and the preseason. Sheary is a veteran of 593 NHL games. Originally an undrafted free agent, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins after completing his collegiate career. Following a year with the Penguins' AHL affiliate, he forced his way onto the NHL squad after posting 36 points in his first 30 games of the 2015-2016 season at the AHL level. His debut NHL season went better than ever expected, and he was a key part of the Penguins' lineup that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sheary's coach at the time, both at the AHL and NHL levels, was Mike Sullivan. Now, he'll get the chance to reunite with the coach under whom he won two championships. In addition to playing for the Penguins, Sheary has played for three other NHL franchises. The Pens dealt him to the Buffalo Sabres before the 2018-2019 campaign, but he would return to Pittsburgh the following season at the trade deadline. After his second stint with the Penguins, he joined the Washington Capitals. He played three seasons in Washington, D.C. before landing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he spent the past two years. Over his 593 career games, he's compiled 124 goals and 143 assists for 267 points. His best NHL season came during the 2016-2017 campaign, his second in the league. He scored 23 goals and added 30 assists for 53 points in 61 regular-season games.
Josh Hart Reacts To New York Knicks Signing 11-Year NBA Veteran
Jordan Clarkson is coming off a year where he averaged 16.2 points per contest for the Utah Jazz. Over the offseason, the New York Knicks made a big addition to their bench by signing Clarkson. Recently, Josh Hart spoke about the addition of Clarkson (via Roommates Show). Hart: "Great dude. Gonna fit right into the culture that we have... Someone that can create his own shot, can break down the defense and we needed that at times last year. It'll be a great addition... Also, as a locker room guy." Hart and Clarkson were teammates for one season on the Los Angeles Lakers. Via @LakersLead: "Lakers 2018 Roster Starters PG Lonzo Ball SG Kent Caldwell-Pope SF Brandon Ingram PF Kyle Kuzma C Brook Lopez Bench PG Jordan Clarkson SG Alex Caruso SF Josh Hart PF Larry Nance Jr. C Ivica Zubac" Clarkson has played 11 total seasons for the Jazz, Cavs and Lakers. The 2021 6th Man of The Year was with the Cavs when they reached the 2018 NBA Finals. Via The Utah Jazz: "✔️ Sixth Man of the Year ✔️ Broke the Triple-Double drought ✔️ All-Star Skills Challenge Champ ✔️ All-Time Fan Favorite Sixx, 00, The Flame, JC— but there’s only one Jordan Clarkson. Thank you for the countless memories, buckets and ‘yeah, a lot’ of Jazz games. All love for 00, always ️ Once a Jazzman " The Knicks are coming off a season where they reached the 2025 Eastern Conference finals.
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