3 next moves New York Yankees need to make after bringing Anthony Rizzo back
By Jake Oliver
2. Signing Kodai Senga could be a huge splash for the Yankees
The Yankees need a starting pitcher after seeing how the Astros and other recent teams used their star starting pitchers and relievers to win the World Series. There might not be a better starter available on the market than Kodai Senga. Senga is a high-rated starter out of Japan that is finally coming to America for the MLB.
He’d be an excellent No.2 starter for the Yankees in case Nestor Cortes or Frankie Montas can’t retain their pitching form from this past season. Senga’s price will likely be cheaper than other arms like Carlos Rodon. Yet, the upside might be just as high after Senga dominated Japan in 2022.
He threw 144 innings and walked only 49 with 156 strikeouts and a 1.94 ERA. According to our resident Japanese Baseball Expert, Dave Hill of Call to the Pen, Senga displays:
"“two plus pitches in his fastball and splitter, but the rest of his arsenal is considered somewhat fringy. It is the type of profile that could also play up as a late inning reliever, something else the Yankees need”"
So, Senga would be perfect for the Yankees in either a late-inning reliever or a starter. I could see him following in the footsteps of Tanaka for the Yankees. They’ve had great luck with the players they signed from Japan. Senga could just be the next great one for them, especially if he can harness a third pitch. Just look above and you can already see how good he’d look in those Yankee pinstripes.