Who Is Japanese Ace Kodai Senga, Latest Star Added By The Mets To Their Roster

The rotation of the Mets has gained another tool. Kodai Senga, a prominent right-hander from Japan, and the Mets reached an agreement on a five-year, $75 million contract on Saturday night, Joel Sherman of The Post reported. The agreement has a no-trade clause and an opt-out clause after the third year.

Who Is Japanese Ace Kodai Senga, Latest Star Added By The Mets To Their Roster

Senga, who turns 30 in January, joins Justin Verlander (two years, $86.7 million) and Jose Quintana (two years, $26 million) as the third starting pitcher that general manager Billy Eppler has signed recently. The trio will be a part of a rotation that is managed by Max Scherzer, features Carlos Carrasco at the moment, and also includes David Peterson and Tylor Megill for depth.

Senga pitched in the NPB for 11 seasons, compiling a 2.59 ERA, 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings, and 3.4 walks.

“I like him,” manager Buck Showalter said this past week at the winter meetings. “It’s tough to project [Japanese pitchers], but a good pitcher is a good pitcher. You are always thinking about a load of pitching every fifth day compared to [once weekly], but they said that about some really good Japanese pitchers that have come over and done well. We have talked with him and he’s impressive. Enjoyed our little talk with him.”

The most recent Japanese celebrity that Eppler helped land is Senga. When he was the general manager of the Yankees, he scouted Masahiro Tanaka for them and signed Shohei Ohtani.

At the winter meetings, Eppler observed of Senga, “He’s a tremendously gifted pitcher.

The right-hander, who paid the Mets a visit last month, is a student of Yu Darvish and has trained in the United States throughout the offseason with the right-hander of the Padres. Although Senga may have some command concerns and a couple of bothersome elbow injuries, his upside is high.

https://twitter.com/genymets/status/1600659518936997888?s=20&t=eb58MTw-vKwYrC9_nsRliQnbsp;

By bringing Senga into the mix, the Mets might be able to consider moving Carrasco, who is presently scheduled to start as their No. 5 starter. Carrasco’s $14 million 2023 option was accepted by the Mets earlier this offseason, but with Peterson and Megill providing depth, Carrasco might no longer be necessary.

 

 

FOR MORE NFL UPDATES-

Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Proposes A Significant Change To The NFL Schedule