The New York Mets have plenty of unknowns going into this one, but the biggest one is starting pitcher Kodai Senga.
Every team is going into the season with mysteries and unknowns, but some are bigger than others. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com came up with one big unknown for every team in the league, and surprisingly, the New York Mets' was about one of their pitchers at the back end of the rotation.
How good will Kodai Senga be?
Actually, it’s an amazing question to be asking at all, especially since many experts around the league didn’t think Senga would still be with the Met when spring training rolled around. Trade rumors began surrounding Senga right after the season ended, but GM David Stearns decided to stay the course with the enigmatic right-hander.
Senga rewarded Stearns and the Mets with a brilliant spring, as he pitched to a 1.86 ERA over three spring training outings. Senga also hit 99 mph with his fastball, and he once again looked like a pitcher who belonged at the top of the rotation, not fighting for his baseball life at 33.
The problem with this is that the Mets have already seen this movie last year, and the last thing they want is another viewing. Senga started out strong last season until a hamstring injury took him off the mound for a month, and he was never the same after that.
So what’s the forecast for Senga this season? Who knows?? He’s the essence of fragile at this point in his career, especially since his mechanics have to be absolutely perfect for Senga to take the mound at all. If you’re looking for one of those warrior types who will take the ball and pitch through minor bumps and bruises, Senga’s not your guy.
He is an impressive pitcher when he’s right, though, especially where he’s currently slotted at the back of the Mets rotation. The Mets will almost certainly baby Senga and hope for as many good outings as possible, but after last season’s disaster that saw him get demoted to the minors, it won’t take much for the Mets to punt him from the rotation.
The over/under here is probably 5-6 starts where he’ll be effective, and even that number feels dicey. Spring baseball is fraught with rainouts and days off, and Senga is probably the pitcher who needs consistency the most. Moreover, the Mets have Sean Manaea ready in the bullpen, and behind him they have impressive young Jonah Tong, who could also be first up if Senga falters.