As the Mets look to revamp their starting rotation after disappointingly missing the playoffs, they’re prepared to part with one of its current key cogs.
Right-hander Kodai Senga is “extremely available,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Tuesday, adding that multiple executives anticipate the Mets trading the 32-year-old this offseason.
While Senga — who has two years left on a five-year, $75 million contract — has impressed when healthy, injuries have held him back.
After a dazzling rookie campaign in 2023 in which he earned an All-Star nod while recording a 2.98 ERA with 202 strikeouts in 29 starts, he made just one regular-season appearance in 2024.
Senga suffered a shoulder injury in spring training that year, and when he made his season debut on July 26, he strained his calf running off the mound during a popup.
He was thought to be done for the season but ended up returning for Game 1 of the NLDS and made three playoff appearances, giving up seven runs across five innings.
Senga was spectacular again to begin 2025, posting a 1.47 ERA through his first 13 starts before he injured his hamstring falling on first base while catching a throw from Pete Alonso.
He came back after a month, had a 5.90 ERA over his next nine starts and was then sent down to Triple-A for the final month of the year.
The Mets’ starting pitching was excellent to begin the season but fell off mightily in the second half.
Sean Manaea, whom the Mets re-signed to a three-year, $75 million contract after a strong 2024, was out until July this year due to an oblique strain and pitched to a 5.64 ERA in 60 ⅔ innings.
Frankie Montas, after signing a two-year, $34 million contract, was out until June after suffering a lat strain in spring training, was demoted to the bullpen due to poor performance and then underwent Tommy John surgery, likely sidelining him for the entire 2026 season.
Griffin Canning was a pleasant surprise after signing a one-year, $4.25 million contract with a 3.77 ERA but he tore his Achilles in June.
David Peterson earned his first All-Star nod and had a 2.83 ERA through his first 21 starts, but he fell apart down the stretch to the tune of an 8.42 ERA over his final nine appearances.
Clay Holmes was also less effective during the second half in his first full MLB season as a starter.
The rotation was in such disarray that the Mets relied heavily on prospects Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat in September.
According to Passan, the Mets are also interested in free-agent reliever Devin Williams, the formerly dominant Brewers closer who struggled with the Yankees this year.
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