[Orix Buffaloes] Raoh Yutaro Sugimoto renews his contract as the final player in Pacific League League… He’s getting a 10 million yen increase, but he says, “I want to channel this frustration into the white ball.”
Sports Hochi
2026.1.29(木) 05:00
Orix Buffaloes outfielder Yutaro Sugimoto (34) was the last player in Pacific League League to renew his contract on the 28th. He attended negotiations in Maishima, Osaka, and signed for 77 million yen, an increase of 10 million yen. “I thought it would go up a little more, so I’m a little disappointed…” he said, explaining why he was the only player on the team to have negotiations over the New Year.
In 2013, he cleared the required number of at-bats for the first time in four years, hitting 16 Home Run and an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of .758, the best on the team. “I was a little excited when I saw the increases my teammates were getting after meeting the required amount,” he said, and in the preliminary negotiations that took place this year, he was initially offered an increase of 9 million yen.
Fellow home-grown center fielder Nakagawa had signed for an annual salary of 100 million yen, an increase of 30 million yen, and Tonmiya had signed for an annual salary of 85 million yen, an increase of 15 million yen, so he revealed that there was a gap between the amount he wanted and the amount he wanted, saying, “It was a shock, or rather, it was very difficult. It was difficult to get a contract.” In January, he had been doing voluntary training in Miyakojima, Okinawa, and on this day, just before the start of training camp in February, he was given an “increase” of 1 million yen, and they came to terms.
“I want to channel this regret into the white ball this year (2026). I’m always thinking about my career high,” he said, looking ahead to surpassing the 32 home runs he hit in 2021, when he was Home Run king. In his 11th year as a pro, he is one home run away from Home Run 100 in total. He will turn the “little bit of regret” he has left behind into motivation, and Raoh will continue to ascend to heaven. (Nambu Shunta)
Related News
・ [Orix Buffaloes] Yutaro Sugimoto, the only player on the team to carry the year into the new year, renews his contract as the final player in the league, increasing his salary by 10 million yen to 77 million yen. “I want to vent my frustration on the white ball.”
・ [Hanshin Tigers] There is a possibility that Teruaki Sato, whose contract has not yet been renewed, will attend a training camp at his own expense. “It’s not like there’s any dispute.” If he attends a training camp at his own expense with Hanshin Tigers, it will be the first time since Yasutomo Kubo in 211.
・ [Orix Buffaloes] The team’s only unrenewed player, Raoh Yutaro Sugimoto, will be negotiating a contract on January 28th. In 2013, he hit 16 Home Run the most on the team.
・ [Orix Buffaloes] Raoh Yutaro Sugimoto to renew contract over the next year “It’s better than signing a contract without being satisfied…” Team Home Run king, is there a gap between his desired amount and his contract?
・ [Seibu Lions] Takeru Furuichi renews his contract with an increased salary. With the addition of first-round draft pick Kojima, “I think the competition will become even more intense, so I need to be on my toes.”
AloJapan.com