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Rockies Face Decision on Key Starting Pitcher
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- Rockies Face Decision on Key Starting Pitcher
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
While the pitching staff wasn't much to write home about in the 2026 MLB season for the Colorado Rockies , Tomoyuki Sugano did his best to stand out.
Sugano is a free agent right now and will be seeking a new deal before next season. Of course, the start of the 2027 season is threatened by the ongoing negotiations between MLB owners and the MLB Players Association.
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Rockies Roundtable reporter Don Strouble shared his thoughts about Sugano's future with the organization.
Still, it's worth looking into Sugano's possible return to the Rockies.
According to Spotrac , Sugano signed a one-year, $5,100,000 contract with the Rockies, including $5,100,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $5,100,000. Before coming to Colorado, Sugano had a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles . He was released after the 2025 season.
Sugano finished 12-12 for Rockies
In 29 starts for the Rockies, Sugano put together a 12-12 record and a 5.37 ERA. He pitched 154.1 innings, recorded 96 strikeouts, and had a WHIP of 1.32.
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There's no doubt that improving the entire pitching staff is on the board for Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes. The ballclub fired pitching coach Alon Leichman after just one season in the position.
Matt Daniels is currently the Rockies' director of pitching. The Rockies promoted Owen Cuffe to the assistant director of pitching role just this week. Cuffe had been working in the Arizona Fall League at this time, Once he received his promotion within the Rockies' organization, he left his AFL role.
Starters must go longer next season
Sugano proved to be a solid hand through most of the season, but seemed to fade later in the season. Starting pitchers just were not able to put together long starts for manager Warren Schaeffer much at all. Schaeffer then had to lean on his relievers to come in earlier than expected into games.
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That put a lot of stress on them. One of the key elements that needs to happen for the Rockies is that their starters must go longer than just three or four innings. A solid starting rotation can balance out with a much-improved offensive attack by Rockies hitters.
Finding that delicate balance is one thing that stands out among teams that can reach postseason competition. Colorado has been in those postseason conversations in the past. They want to get back there as soon as possible.
Four consecutive 100-plus-loss seasons starts taking a toll on a franchise like the Rockies. Their fans have been patiently waiting for a turn in a better direction.
Keeping Sugano as a potential No. 4 or No. 5 starter could be on the table. Again, though, there are a lot of moving parts for the pitching situation in Colorado, This will be worth watching in the coming days and weeks.
