The New York Mets just keep making splash moves this off-season.
According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets are in agreement, pending a physical, with prized Japanese star pitcher, Kodai Senga. The deal is reportedly for five years and $75 million.
Senga is a talented right-handed pitcher. He is still fairly young, turning 30 years old in January. The star pitcher is listed at six feet and 178 pounds.
Senga had 11 years of experience (2012-22) in the Japan Leagues. Over those 11 seasons, he recorded a 2.42 ERA and a 104-51 record. In 2022, Senga went 11-6 with a 1.89 ERA.
On the mound, Senga is known for being able to throw gas. His fastball has gone as hard as 102 miles an hour. On average, his fastball velocity is 96 miles per hour. Senga possesses some off-speed pitches as well with a changeup. What he is most known for, though, is his nasty splitter.
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The Mets may now have the best rotation in baseball:
With Senga, the Mets now have a starting rotation that consists of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Senga, Jose Quintana, Carlos Carrasco, David Peterson, and Tylor Megill. Quite possibly the best in baseball. Considering the Mets lost Jacob deGrom, they did awfully well for themselves.
The question does now become, will Carrasco potentially get moved? Either way, the Mets can benefit. Keeping Carrasco provides them with a fifth starter who won 15 games last year. On the other hand, the Mets payroll, which was already a fortune, just skyrocketed even more with this Senga signing.
The Mets’ top four of Verlander, Scherzer, Senga, and Quintana is now set. They could very well feel comfortable just having young arms like Peterson and Megill compete to round it out.
Carrasco has a hefty $14 million salary the Mets could move on from. With other needs, a power bat to the lineup, and another arm to the bullpen, they could use help in alleviating some financial stress.
Ultimately, this Senga signing is a thrilling one. It confirms that much more how all-in the Mets are under Steve Cohen to winning a World Series. Senga has tons of talent and provides not only this Mets starting pitching but the team with a higher ceiling.