The New York Mets are always on the hunt to add more talented starting pitchers to their rotation, and after the success of Kodai Senga this season, the organization could make another hard push for the next Japanese ace that could be available in the offseason.
There is no way to say it other than the New York Mets 2023 campaign has been a borderline disaster. Even after the team dealt with various injuries to key players early in the season, their top stars far underperformed compared to 2022.
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On offense, Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and Starling Marte have had down seasons. The back of the starter rotation and bullpen have been average at best, and highly-paid aces Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander have not been as dominant as the team had hoped for heading into the season. However, one player that has exceeded expectations is 30-year-old rookie Kodai Senga.
Entering the season, the hope was that the Japanese import could be a strong third pitcher in the New York Mets’ star-studded rotation. However, Senga was an All-Star this season and leads the rotation in ERA, strikeouts, and innings pitched this season. After a history of disappointing signings from the land of the rising sun, the organization has finally found a Japanese star.
New York Mets a favorite to sign Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto this winter
Due to that success, it looks like the Mets may be going back to the well this winter. On Monday, SNY MLB insider Andy Martino wrote about possible targets the team could have when it comes to pitching in the offseason. And in doing so he revealed that “Mets general manager Billy Eppler has already traveled to Japan this year to watch [Yoshinobu] Yamamoto. As was the case with Senga, Eppler’s deep connections and credibility in that country could help give the Mets an advantage in Yamamoto’s free agency.”
Yamamoto pitched for the Japanese team during this year’s World Baseball Classic and the 24-year-old impressed. Posting a 2.45 ERA over the 7.1 innings he pitched in and struck out 12 batters. Martino added that a baseball evaluator compared Yamamoto to Chris Bassitt but with more velocity on his fastball.
The Orix Buffaloes star is projected to be a No. 2 or 3 starter in MLB.