Pitching is always in demand in MLB, no matter the time of the year or the situation.
Contenders are usually scanning the market for pitching upgrades, and the 2022-23 offseason provides plenty of opportunities at all price ranges.
Justin Verlander already signed, but there is plenty of talent remaining.
One of the most intriguing arms is that of Japanese star Kodai Senga.
He doesn’t have to go through the usual posting process that requires paying his team in Japan a fee, so he has that working on his advantage.
Besides that, he is really, really talented.
Lots of MLB teams are reportedly after his services, and his market appears to be heating up.
MLB insider Jon Heyman updated his list of suitors.
“Kodai Senga market includes: Mets, Giants, Red Sox, Cubs, Padres, Rangers,” he tweeted.
Kodai Senga market includes: Mets, Giants, Red Sox, Cubs, Padres, Rangers
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 6, 2022
Lots Of Contenders Are After Senga
The Mets make sense for him: they just signed Verlander, but they also have Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker as free agents and they lost Jacob deGrom.
The San Francisco Giants may pivot to Senga if they lose out on Carlos Rodon, and the Boston Red Sox need a statement signing to say “we are here, and we still want to contend.”
The Chicago Cubs may also be a fit, especially after signing fellow Japanese star Seiya Suzuki a year ago.
He may help Senga adapt.
The San Diego Padres just lost Mike Clevinger and may be looking to upgrade the rotation, and the Texas Rangers already let their intentions known by signing deGrom: they want to compete in 2023 and may be willing to pay top dollar for Senga.
The right-hander has been one of Japan’s top hurlers for years.
In 2022, he posted a rock-solid 1.94 ERA in 144 innings, with 156 strikeouts.
He is 29 and holds a brilliant 2.42 lifetime ERA in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Who will be the last team standing in the Senga sweepstakes?
NEXT: Giants Rumored To Have A Shocking Offer For Aaron Judge