Trade Interest Grows for Kodai Senga

Bassyonni

ago 3 hours

Mets pitcher Kodai Senga is attracting trade interest from several teams, as reported by Will Sammon from The Athletic. While the Mets are not actively shopping the 2023 Rookie of the Year runner-up, discussions have taken place following inquiries from other organizations.

Trade Interest Grows for Kodai Senga

Senga has posted impressive stats during his time with the Mets, including a flat 3.00 ERA in 285 innings over 52 MLB starts. This season, he maintained a solid 3.02 ERA across 113.1 innings. However, his performance has fluctuated, particularly during the second half of the 2025 campaign due to a shoulder injury that limited him to just one start in 2024.

Injury Impact and Performance Challenges

After recovering, Senga began the 2025 season on a high note, recording a low 1.74 ERA in his first 13 starts. Nevertheless, indicators suggest that such performance may not have been sustainable. His strikeout rate of 23.9% and a higher-than-average walk rate of 10.6% raise concerns about his consistency. Additionally, metrics like FIP (3.24) and SIERA (4.28) indicate that Senga could still fulfill a valuable role.

Mid-season, Senga suffered a calf strain, which sidelined him for nearly a month. This seemingly minor injury spiraled into a challenging stretch from July 11 through August 31, where he struggled, yielding a 5.90 ERA with a diminished strikeout rate. His home run rate also rose, more than tripling to 1.82 HR/9 during this rough period.

Demotion and Season Conclusion

The Mets opted to send Senga to Triple-A, a move he had to approve. He delivered mixed results there, showing flashes of his potential but overall failing to regain his form. He threw two starts in Triple-A, achieving both a strong six-inning outing and a disappointing performance in his second start.

The Mets are now faced with uncertainty regarding Senga’s future. His combined innings in the majors and minors over the past two seasons total only 146, raising concerns about his reliability in the rotation.

Mets Rotation Instability

Nolan McLean emerged as a promising rookie in the Mets rotation.
David Peterson concluded the season with a 4.22 ERA but struggled in his final starts.
Clay Holmes transitioned successfully to starting but had limited deep appearances.
Sean Manaea and others faced injuries, complicating the rotation further.

Given these challenges, finding pitching help is paramount for the Mets this offseason. The uncertainty surrounding Senga makes potential trade discussions even more complex. While trading him at a low point seems risky, maintaining a player with substantial upside amid concerns is equally challenging.

Financial Considerations and Trade Viability

Senga is under contract, owed $14 million for both 2026 and 2027. A potential major injury could trigger a conditional $15 million club option. While his guarantee of $28 million is manageable, the Mets face a significant luxury tax penalty on their spending.

Senga’s previous full no-trade clause has shifted to a limited 10-team no-trade list for the last two years. Although the specifics of this list are currently unknown, the Mets possess greater trading flexibility than before.

Any team interested in Senga would need to compensate the Mets adequately. His past performance and potential value within a competitive salary structure make him an attractive, albeit tricky, trade candidate.