Kodai Senga signed with the New York Mets on Saturday night, as Steve Cohen went further over the luxury tax in the process.
Kodai Senga, though an unproven commodity at this juncture, was largely considered a second-tier starting pitcher on the free-agent market. With the likes of Justin Verlander and Jacob deGrom signing quickly, however, Senga became a priority for teams that had missed out on an obvious pitching upgrade so far this offseason.
Carlos Rodon remains available, and he’s an All-Star caliber starter who wants a reported seven-year deal. At 29 years old, that would be more attainable if Rodon didn’t have a complicated injury history, which has worried teams in the past.
Senga, while unproven as previously mentioned due to his lack of MLB experience, signed for a five-year deal worth $75 million. That’s likely less years and AAV than Rodon will receive, and he got it from the Mets, a team that (we assumed) had very little money to spend at this point in the offseason.
Yet, Steve Cohen surprised us all.
Right-hander Kodai Senga and the New York Mets are in agreement on a five-year, $75 million contract, sources familiar with the agreement tell ESPN. There were a few last-minute questions about the deal being finalized, but they got worked out and Senga is a Met pending physical.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2022
San Francisco Giants had a chance at Kodai Senga
The San Francisco Giants need to make a major splash in the free-agent market, and have now been outbid for both Aaron Judge and Kodai Senga.
Carlos Rodon, arguably the best free-agent pitcher available, was also on their pitching staff last season. Eventually, one would think Giants general manager Farhan Zaidi would connect.
Judge was always a longshot considering the Yankees were the other team involved in negotiations. Not only that, but he’s a homegrown Yankee. As much as San Francisco played up Judge being from the Bay Area, to suggest that he’d leave New York — where he has a chance to be the first true captain since Derek Jeter and the face of an era in The Bronx — just to come home is farfetched.
Senga, though, makes plenty of sense! San Francisco needs a front-end rotation starter, and Senga would’ve offered just that and brought in a new sector of the fanbase at the same time. Sadly, New York benefits again.
Yankees should’ve signed Kodai Senga
The Yankees remain entrenched in the battle for Carlos Rodon, but they could’ve taken an early exit to sign Kodai Senga to less money. When you consider Hal Steinbrenner just spent $360 million long-term on Aaron Judge, it makes much more sense.
New York still needs a frontline rotation starter and a corner outfielder, and that’s just to contend in the American League. If they hope to take a step forward, signing another star like Carlos Correa would be a great start, but let’s not kid ourselves.
Senga would’ve offered the Yankees more flexibility than what they currently have. As great as Carlos Rodon is, the Yankees already have a rotation full of injury-prone starters. Is adding another to the mix really a smart decision?
New York lost Jameson Taillon this offseason. There’s a clear hole in the middle of the rotation. If they doubted Senga’s transition to the MLB level, then that’s one thing. To not reach his rather cheap demands (as compared to the rest of the market) is another.
St. Louis Cardinals should’ve signed Kodai Senga
The Cardinals need pitching, and they need it bad.
St. Louis held together its rotation thanks to key trades for Jose Quintana and Jordan Montgomery at the deadline. However, Montgomery took a significant step back towards the end of the season, and Quintana just signed a long-term deal with the New York Mets — ironically where Kodai Senga also signed.
Senga would’ve been a tremendous fit at the top of the rotation in St. Louis. Pitching for a contender, and one with a desperate need in the starting rotation, is a rare find. Adam Wainwright is solid as ever, but even he has to age at some point. Yadier Molina, a constant stable force in the locker room, retired at the end of last season, and can no longer be counted upon to call a great game from behind home plate. Who knows how Willson Contreras will fit?
Senga alone isn’t a guaranteed solution, but there’s a reason St. Louis is in on the likes of Carlos Rodon and Nathan Eovaldi. Senga could’ve come at a discount, as we now know.