MLB’s hot stove is getting hotter as the general manager meetings in Las Vegas continue. Even though there haven’t been any significant transfers since the start of the free agency era, speculations are still circulating.
The New York Mets are reportedly generating some trade talk for starter Kodai Senga, according to a recent article by Will Sammon for The Athletic. The article claims that certain teams have inquired about the right-hander, despite the Mets’ denial that they are explicitly shopping Senga.
Why Would the Mets Shop Kodai Senga?
A casual MLB fan might question why the Mets would trade such a potential arm, only two years after a successful debut season.
In actuality, though, Senga only made one start in 2024 before missing further time due to a shoulder injury in 2025. Senga’s contract included a complete no-trade clause when the Mets signed him from Japan, but after three seasons, that clause has narrowed to just ten teams.
Senga has 320 strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA in 52 career starts. He was named an All-Star in 2023. His K/9 dropped to 8.7 in 2025 from 10.9 that season. This season, his WHIP also rose to 1.315.
MLBTradeRumors.com said the following on the report:
That exceptional output never seemed to be completely sustainable. Senga’s walk rate of 10.6% was almost two percentage points above normal, and his strikeout rate of 23.9% was decent but not exceptional. His 88% strand rate and.251 average on balls in play both appeared to be in danger of declining.
Kodai Senga’s Contract Situation & Time with the Mets
Kodai Senga placed second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting during his debut MLB season in 2023. In 166 innings and 29 starts, he recorded a 2.98 ERA.
Although he did not pitch in September, when New York sorely needed starting pitchers, he had a successful 2025 season as well. Senga’s ERA was a fantastic 2.00 through July, but in August he allowed 19 earned runs before suffering a shoulder injury.
For the next two years, the Mets owe Senga $14 million annually. New York is paying a little bit extra because they are above the luxury tax level. Moving 32-year-old Kodai Senga now would seem to be the best course of action before they had to worry about free agency or a drop in output in the upcoming years if the injury issues frighten New York.
It’s unclear which teams have inquired about Kodai Senga, but the Mets are anticipated to be as aggressive as anybody this offseason, which might entail making significant moves in the trade market.