Jason Burgos
The New York Mets are fully expected to pursue Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani either at the MLB trade deadline or in free agency, but there their could be a unique roadblock that makes that chase a little more difficult.
The New York Mets are expected to be a contending team in the National League in 2023, however, while owner Steve Cohen wants to bring a championship to Flushing sooner than later, the goal is to make them a competitive franchise for years to come. A way they could solidify that possibility is by acquiring All-Star Shohei Ohtani at some point this year.
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The Japanese megastar is set to become a free agent after this season, however, he could also be traded this year if the Angels have another down season in 2023. This means almost every contending team in the sport would be interested in his services, but in the end, the New York Mets are one of the few teams with the player assets and money to make adding Ohtani in a trade or free agency realistic.
New York Mets record (2023): 3-3
However, on Thursday, The Athletic’s MLB insider Ken Rosenthal revealed an unexpected issue the Mets might have to work out first before acquiring Ohtani, and it has to do with big-ticket free agent signing Kodai Senga.
“Some Japanese players are uncomfortable being major-league teammates with other Japanese players because of the importance of seniority in Japan’s hierarchical culture, major-league executives and agents say. The relationship between Senga and Ohtani, if one even exists, is not known. The Mets could always trade Senga if that was part of the price for landing Ohtani, but it would not necessarily be easy. Senga has a full no-trade clause through 2025.
“Ohtani is not going to rule out the Mets from bidding, even if he prefers the West Coast, even if he wants to be the only Japanese player on his team.”
– Ken Rosenthal
It seems likely that nothing will deter Cohen if he can get Ohtani, however, having to move a player just months after pursuing them in free agency could be tough, especially if they are happy there. The Mets gave Senga a five-year, $75 million deal this winter.
It is a unique element that is just another problem in what would be a very difficult trade or free agent signing to make for the New York Mets.
