Yomiuri Giants right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano on Tuesday became Japan’s ninth winner of three or more MVP awards after completing on of the best seasons of his career at the age of 34. And like his last MVP, in 2020, he’s following this one up by attempting to sign an MLB contract.

SoftBank Hawks outfielder Kensuke Kondo, a converted catcher who never seemed to be able to play 120 games a year before joining the Hawks as a free agent last year, produced his second straight MVP-caliber season. “It took a while, but I did feel I might win it someday,” said the 31-year-old Kondo, who was a standout for Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Sugano, who failed to come to terms with any MLB teams in the winter of 2020-2021, returned to the Yomiuri Giants for three mediocre seasons. Speaking of his 4-8 2023 season Tuesday, Sugano said, “A year ago, I don’t think anyone thought Sugano could win an MVP. But I believed I could do it. (Next year) I want to take it to the next level.”