The Orioles haven’t frequently shopped in the Japanese market for free agents but, after bringing former outfielder Adam Jones aboard in a front-office role, they might soon foray into that territory more often.

Baltimore hired Jones as a special adviser to the general manager and community ambassador Monday, reuniting with the five-time All-Star just under a year and a half after he signed a one-day contract to retire with the team. Though Jones officially played his final game for the Orioles in 2018, he spent one year with the Arizona Diamondbacks before moving his family to Japan for two seasons with the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Jones experienced firsthand the difference in competition between the two leagues and had the opportunity to face new Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano, who signed a one-year, $13 million contract with Baltimore this offseason. Orioles’ executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias spoke at a news conference on Tuesday about how Jones could play a role in helping the club sign more Japanese players in the future.

“He signed off on the signing,” Elias said. “He’s a fan of Sugano. I think he’s punched him out at least once that I know of. So he’s seen it in person. Look, I think Adam’s experience in Japan is going to be an asset for us. As I mentioned, I think our new ownership group is opening up a lot of possibilities and we see the growth of Japanese baseball and how it’s impacting the major leagues, and we want to be a part of that.

“When you’re an East Coast city, it’s not the easiest platform to launch from with Japan, but we’re going to make a very strong effort to expand our reach into that country, into that league. I’m excited that we were able to recruit Sugano, and I think Adam, his experience there is going to be helpful and we’re planning to tap into it.”

Sugano, who faced Jones in the 2017 World Baseball Classic in addition to NPB play, is just the third Japanese player to sign with Baltimore directly from his home country. The 35-year-old tested free agency earlier in his career but ultimately didn’t sign with an MLB team and remained with the only ballclub he’s ever known in the Yomiuri Giants.

Jones understands the challenges of adjusting to a different style of play late in his professional career and hopes to be a resource to Sugano if he needs it.

“Watching Sugano, he wanted to be in America,” Jones said. “I know that that deal did not work out for him, and you know how it works out back in Japan, probably got handsomely taken care of to return home. But I know that he has the right stuff to pitch.

“The difference [between] Japan and America is two to three guys per lineup are trying to take you deep in Japan. In America, all nine. It doesn’t matter who you are, these leadoff hitters getting 25, 30 [home runs] now. So, keep the ball down, use your defense and you’ll have a successful season.”

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