Yoshi Tsutsugo, the Japanese slugger who revived his major league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, has agreed to return on a one-year, $4 million deal, a source confirmed to the Tribune-Review.
Tsutsugo, who turns 30 on Friday, batted .268/.347/.535 with eight doubles, eight home runs and 25 RBIs in 43 games after signing with the Pirates in August.
Tsutsugo signed a two-year, $12 million contact with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020 but batted only .197 with eight homers and 24 RBIs in 51 games. He batted .167 in 26 games with the Rays and .120 in 12 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers before being released in August.
After signing with the Pirates, Tsutsugo played 20 games in right field and nine games at first base. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Tsutsugo was pursued more as a first baseman, where Colin Moran started 82 games last season.
Tsutsugo is the second free agent signed by the Pirates this offseason, as left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal on Sunday.
