Age: 33 (1/30/93) B/T: L/R
Traditional Stats: 0-9, 7.34 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 61 1/3 IP, 75 SO, 41 BB, 14 HR, 8 GS, 8 SV, 1 BSV, 31 G
Advanced Stats: 55 ERA+, 26.5 K%, 14.5 BB%, 5.34 xERA, 5.82 FIP, 4.80 xFIP, .309 BABIP, -0.6 fWAR, -1.7 bWAR
2027 salary: $15 million
Grade: D
2026 Review
“In this industry, it’s either you do or you don’t,” Kodai Senga said through a Japanese interpreter on March 7 during spring training. “You perform or you don’t.”
Senga did not perform as a starter, allowing 31 earned runs over 27 2/3 innings covering his first seven starts. He lost his spot in the rotation after giving up seven runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Cubs on June 23. His ERA was 10.08. Of the 393 pitchers who had thrown 20 innings at the time, only one (Max Scherzer) had a higher ERA.
But it was a different Senga when he moved to the bullpen, particularly when he was placed in the closer role after an injury to Devin Williams and trade deadline deals sent the team’s veteran relievers across the league.
Senga recorded his first career save in an 8-5 win over the Braves on Aug. 10, striking out Matt Olson and Michael Harris II He saved eight games in nine tries and the average velocity on his four-seam fastball ticked up in the relief role.
There were hiccups, though. Pitching for the first time in his career on back-to-back days, he gave up a walk-off home run to Tristan Peters of the White Sox on Aug. 23. In another back-to-back appearance, he gave up a game-tying home run to Pete Alonso in the ninth inning at Citi Field. The Mets lost in the 11th.
He ended the year with worst ERA in baseball of the 276 pitchers who threw 60 or more innings.
2027 Preview
Senga would like to start, but his role is up in the air as he enters the last year of a five-year, $75 million deal. (There is a $15 million team option for 2028, but it only activates if Senga has Tommy John surgery or a right elbow injury that keeps him on the injured list for 130+ consecutive days.)
“We will make the determination based on what we feel is best for the team and where he fits best,” Andy Green said on Sept. 23 when asked if Senga will start or relieve next year. “That’s impossible to answer at this moment. We’ve gotten a good look at him in this role and he’s done a lot of really good things and we’re excited about the possibility of that, but you can flip the calendar back just a few years ago before he had a hamstring issue or a leg issue and he was one of the most interesting starters in baseball and doing some really good things and obviously had an unbelievable rookie season.
“So he’s got a lot to hang his hat on in that regard. I think there’s a real decision point there and it’s not one we’re ready to make today.”
Green added that the call can’t be made until the Mets see what happens in free agency. David Stearns has said New York will be looking to add a starter.
