The Mets‘ hopes of landing Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki have officially been dashed. With the news that they’re out of the running, per multiple reports, the team faces a significant blow to its rotation plans for 2025.
Sasaki, with his triple-digit fastball and devastating splitter, was seen as a potential ace who could have given the Mets an immediate boost at the top of their rotation. Now, the Mets must regroup and decide whether to stick with their current arms or explore the trade market for reinforcements.
A Middling Rotation With Limited Upside
It’s no secret that the Mets’ rotation doesn’t strike fear into opponents. Kodai Senga is the closest thing they have to an ace, but his health has been a concern, and banking on him to throw 180-plus innings is a risky proposition. Frankie Montas is a talented pitcher, but comparing him to Luis Severino, who anchored the Mets’ staff last year, feels overly optimistic. Severino had a proven track record as a top-tier starter when healthy, while Montas has been more inconsistent and injury-prone in recent years.
The Mets also brought back Sean Manaea, who had a solid 2024 campaign, and Jose Quintana, who is reliable but doesn’t have the upside of a frontline starter, went to free agency. This group might be serviceable, but it lacks the firepower needed to compete with the National League’s best rotations.
Sasaki’s Absence Leaves a Glaring Hole
Adding Sasaki would have given the Mets a bona fide ace to lead the rotation. His talent is undeniable, with the kind of electric stuff that can turn games into must-watch events. Sasaki wasn’t just a long-term piece; he was a player who could elevate the Mets’ rotation from mediocre to elite overnight. His presence would have allowed the team to slot other starters into more comfortable roles and provided much-needed depth.
Without him, the rotation feels incomplete. It’s a collection of solid arms with question marks attached. Hoping for similar production from this group compared to what Severino, Manaea, and Quintana provided in 2024 is optimistic at best, wishful thinking at worst.
Trade Market Could Be the Answer
With Sasaki no longer an option, the Mets’ front office might have to get creative. The trade market could offer some solutions, especially as teams look to shed payroll or retool their rosters. A high-upside arm like Jack Flaherty could be an intriguing option.
The challenge lies in the cost since they’ve avoided long-term deals aside from Juan Soto’s contract this off-season.
Senga’s Health Is the X-Factor
Much of the Mets’ success in 2025 will hinge on Kodai Senga’s ability to stay healthy and pitch like the ace they need. When Senga is on, he has the stuff to dominate, as he showed in 2023 with a 2.98 ERA over 166.1 innings. However, his injury history raises concerns, and relying on him to carry the rotation is a gamble.
If Senga can stay on the mound and pitch to his potential, it could mask some of the rotation’s deficiencies. But even with a healthy Senga, the Mets would still lack the depth and upside needed to contend with the National League’s elite teams.
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The Mets’ rotation feels like a house of cards right now—one injury or underperformance could bring it all crashing down. Missing out on Sasaki only amplifies the pressure on the front office to find a solution before the season begins. Whether they explore the trade market or try to extract maximum value from what they have, one thing is clear: the Mets’ rotation is a work in progress, and there’s no room for error.