Rays Sign Japanese Slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo to 2-Year Deal
By Michael Luciano
Expect a couple more home run balls to land in the Tampa Bay Rays' right-center stingray tank next season.
The Rays broke from their usual frugal offseason ways and signed Japanese power-hitting outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo to a two-year deal worth $12 million, plus a $2.4 million posting fee.
BREAKING: #Rays finalizing deal to sign Japanese OF/INF/DH Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, a lefty power bat. Two-year deal would be in range of $12M, plus posting fee (about another $2.4M)
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 13, 2019
The 28-year-old Tsutsugo has established himself as one of the NPB's premier power threats with the Yokohama DeNA Baystars, as he has clubbed 205 home runs in his professional career to this point. Tsutsugo has hit 22 or more home runs in six straight seasons, including a career-high 44 in 2016 and 38 in 2018. Last season, Tsutsugo hit .272 with 29 home runs and 79 RBI in 131 games.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were aggressively pursuing Tsutsugo, but it appears he opted for Tropicana Field over Chavez Ravine, actively choosing his new spot over larger offers elsewhere.
Per source, Tsutsugo had bigger offers on the table, but decided the Rays were a better fit. Great spot for him.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 13, 2019
The ability for Tsutsugo to DH more regularly was likely a selling point that pushed him towards Tampa over an NL club.
Source: #Dodgers showing interest in LF Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, who is viewed by many as a better fit for the American League. Tsutsugo faces a Dec. 19 deadline to sign in @MLB after being posted by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of NPB, for whom he hit 29 HR this year. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 12, 2019
Tampa Bay is not normally known as a team that is willing to take a chance on expensive international free agents, but the addition of Tsutsugo will add another powerful left-handed bat to a Tampa team looking to get back into the playoffs in 2020.