The New York Mets are coming off a disappointing season. While signing key players like Juan Soto and Pete Alonso over the offseason, it was not enough to get them into the playoffs.

They were one of baseball’s best during the early portion of the season, but struggled mightily during the back half of the season. They allowed the Cincinnati Reds to rally back and take the final NL Wild Card spot away from them.

One reason for their shaky performances to close out the year came from the pitching department. Starters struggled at times, and when they didn’t, the bullpen often let them down, and that will likely be something the team focuses on over the winter.

Mets’ GM David Stearns rips Kodai Senga over lack of consistency

Kodai Senga’s time with the Mets has not gone to plan. He pitched well in 2023 in his first season with the club, but only made one start last year while dealing with multiple injuries.

He struggled this season and was sent down to Triple-A, where his struggles continued. With two lackluster seasons, David Stearns was honest with his assessment of the Japanese flamethrower, via SNY.

“Kodai’s had two very inconsistent, challenging years in a row. We know it’s in there. We know there’s potential. We’re going to do everything we can to help get it out of him. Can we put him in ink as making 30 starts next year? I think that would be foolish.”

Those are not reassuring words from the team’s GM. Senga will have to show the team he has improved over the last two seasons if he wants to be the ace of the staff as he was expected to be when he signed in 2022.