As the New York Mets try to shake off the disappointment from their second-half collapse, some sort of roster shakeup has to be on the horizon.
It certainly wasn’t a lack of spending that caused the Mets’ downfall, but something was amiss with their roster construction. The starting rotation will rightfully draw the most scrutiny this winter, as a group that was more haphazardly constructed than the lineup eventually crumbled under the weight of injuries and being overworked.
It certainly wasn’t a lack of spending that caused the Mets’ downfall, but something was amiss with their roster construction. The starting rotation will rightfully draw the most scrutiny this winter, as a group that was more haphazardly constructed than the lineup eventually crumbled under the weight of injuries and being overworked.
After a sterling rookie season, Senga has been inconsistent and injury-plagued since the start of last year. And according to insider Will Sammon of The Athletic, that could cause the Mets to abruptly pull the plug.
On Thursday, Sammon identified Senga as a “name that sticks out” in likely Mets trade talks this winter.
“Senga moves from a full no-trade clause to a limited one this winter, in which he can block trades to 10 franchises,” Sammon wrote. “He’s owed $28 million over the next two seasons, with a conditional club option for $15 million in 2028 should he suffer an elbow injury.
“Given the going rate for back-end starters in free agency, a Senga trade should be able to bring something of value back.”
There’s always risk in selling low, even if teams are aware of how good Senga can still be at his best. He’s only two years removed from a seventh-place Cy Young Award finish, and the last two years of the $75 million contract he signed wouldn’t be difficult for the Mets or any team to swallow in case of a continued downturn.
If the Mets are simply looking to change the formula, though, parting ways with Senga makes sense. They need starters who they know will be available every fifth day, and although Senga can be electrifying, he’s certainly not reliable.
Keep an eye out for reports of Senga trade discussions, because that would be an indication that the Mets are ready to try a new formula for their pitching staff.