(New York) Kodai Senga didn’t hesitate when asked which team he was looking forward to pitching against for the New York Mets.
“Philadelphia Phillies,” said the Japanese.
The Mets are also excited to face the defending champions the National.
Senga was officially introduced at a press conference held at Citi Field on Monday after finalizing a five-year, $75 million contract with the Mets.
The 29-year-old right-hander kicked off his first press conference with a message in English to supporters.
“Hello, I’m Kodai Senga from the New York Mets. I am very excited and happy to be in the “Big Apple” and to join a very good team. Come on Mets,” he said.
“He’s got a lot of energy,” Mets general manager Billy Eppler said.
Senga will wear number 34, which Noah Syndergaard previously wore from 2015 to 2021. He wore 41 with the Fukuoka Hawks in the Pacific League, but that number is being retired in New York in honor of the Temple member. of Baseball fame Tom Seaver.
“I really felt the passion of the fans in New York. Several messages also concerned the number,” said Senga, through interpreter Mako Allbee.
Senga, who will celebrate his 30e birthday in January, went 11-6 with a 1.94 ERA in 22 starts last season with the Hawks. He gave up no runs in three innings against the United States at the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
In the Japan playoffs, Senga was the first-game starter for four straight seasons and the Hawks won four straight titles.
Senga, Justin Verlander and Jose Quintana signed with the Mets during the offseason. They will replace the team’s three starters who became free agents after the 2022 season: Jacob deGrom, Taijuan Walker and Chris Bassitt.
Seeking their first World Series win since 1986, the Mets spent $476.7 million on seven free agents this offseason.
In addition to Senga, Verlander and Quintana, the New Yorkers retained center fielder Brandon Nimmo and stopper Edwin Diaz, added reliever David Robertson and signed receiver Omar Narváez, who must pass physical assessments.
Senga is eligible for an escape clause after the 2025 season if he pitches at least 400 innings from 2023 to 2025. The contract also includes a $15 million option to the Mets for 2028 if Senga is still with the team and he suffered a right elbow injury or Tommy John type surgery that forced him to be placed on the injured list for more than 130 consecutive days.
The starting rotation also includes veteran Carlos Carrasco. The Mets accepted his $14 million option for the next season.