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Although the Mets re-signed Brandon Nimmo to an eight-year, $162 million contract, the Mets are still in play for Kodai Senga, according to our own Michael Mayer.
The Mets have been linked to Senga since he announced he would become an MLB free agent at the beginning of the off-season. In mid-November, the Mets met with the Japanese star in person and it reportedly went well.
Senga was dominant in the NPB last season and pitched to a 1.94 ERA. Last season wasn’t a fluke either, as Senga owns a career 2.42 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in his career.
A marriage between the Mets and Senga makes perfect sense due to the requirements he laid out for potential suitors. According to Senga, he wants to play in a big market, sign a lucrative deal, and play for a World Series contending team.
Not only do the Mets meet every requirement Senga listed above, but they also have the deepest pockets to make a run at the right-hander. However, Senga is highly sought after, and it has been reported that he has received offers that range from five to six years.
Due to his robust market, Senga has already met with several MLB teams this off-season. As of today, he is linked to the Red Sox, Cubs, Padres, Giants, Rangers, and Mets.
If the Mets do sign Senga, their payroll would presumably balloon to around $350 million. With the re-signing of Nimmo, and other deals the Mets have made this off-season, their payroll currently sits at $328 million.
As of now, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, José Quintana, and Carlos Carrasco have locked down four spots in the Mets rotation. If signed, Senga would slide into the middle of the rotation and provide the Mets with a deep rotation with tons of upside.
