Mets Should Pursue $13 Million Starter From Orioles After Kodai Senga Injury

Newsweek

20 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The New York Mets suffered a major blow Thursday after starting pitcher and current ace, Kodai Senga, was placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain.
The 32-year-old righty has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season with a 1.59 ERA through 12 starts. Now, his dominance is on pause.
"He's going to get an MRI (Friday); we'll see the severity of it," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told The Associated Press. "But he's going to be on (the) IL here. So we've just got to wait and see what we're dealing with."
Now, the Mets will have to sort things out as the trade deadline is fast approaching. Tomoyuki Sugano of the Baltimore Orioles could be an option the Mets pursue.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 08: Tomoyuki Sugano #19 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Athletics during the first inning at Sutter Health Park on June 08, 2025 in Sacramento, California.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 08: Tomoyuki Sugano #19 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Athletics during the first inning at Sutter Health Park on June 08, 2025 in Sacramento, California.Sugano has been effective so far this year with a 3.23 ERA in his first 13 starts in the United States. He's 35 years old, but that's the smallest concern for a contender like the Mets. However there is something else that may be a concern for contenders.
"Among qualified pitchers, Tomoyuki Sugano has the second-widest gap between his ERA (3.04) and his FIP (4.69)," wrote Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report on Sunday. ... "The long and short of it is that Sugano pitches to contact. Occasionally, it's hard contact that travels more than 400 feet, but he's mostly a master of his craft, keeping hitters off-balance with his six-pitch arsenal."
To update the numbers, Sugano's gap between ERA (3.23) and FIP (4.59) is down to the fifth-widest gap in the big leagues.
Pitching to contact is a philosophy that is all but dead in today's game whether players like it or not. However, Sugano isn't changing his style of play for anyone or any team.
Where the Mets would be willing to take a chance is the fact that Sugano is on an expiring contract. He's set to become a free agent as the Orioles only signed him to a one-year deal. If it doesn't work out, they let him walk at the end of the season.
However, Sugano's success has been sustained three months into the season, so he seems to have it figured out. The Mets would also only be on the hook for the remainder of his $13 million contract.
It's unknown how long Senga will be sidelined for, so the Mets need to go out and make a splash move to hang on to first place in the National League East.
More MLB: 'Confused' Brewers Starter Seems Like Tigers' Best Answer to Jackson Jobe Injury