Kodai Senga has informed the New York Mets that he would prefer to remain with the organization rather than be traded, according to reporting from The Athletic’s Will Sammon. Though Senga lacks full control over the outcome, his contract — a five-year, $75 million deal signed in December 2022 that includes a 10-team no-trade clause — gives him limited protection as the Mets weigh offseason decisions.
The Mets, valued at $3.2 billion by Forbes, failed to reach the postseason at the end of the 2025 season. They have traded Brandon Nimmo, who joined the organization in 2016, and are exploring the possibility of trading Jeff McNeil.
Key Takeaways
Kodai Senga informed the Mets he prefers to stay despite being on the trading block and having a 10-team no-trade clause.
Senga’s three seasons in New York include a strong 2023 rookie year, major injuries in 2024, and a 2025 demotion after posting a 5.90 ERA in nine post-injury starts.
The Mets have begun roster changes, trading Brandon Nimmo and exploring a Jeff McNeil deal after missing the 2025 postseason.
Performance, Injuries, and Demotion Across Three Seasons
Senga’s first season with the Mets in 2023 included 29 starts, a 12–7 record, a 2.98 ERA, and 202 strikeouts in 166.1 innings. He finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting. His 2023 performance followed 11 seasons with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league.
In 2024, he made one regular-season start due to a right shoulder injury and a calf injury. In 2025, he entered the season healthy, then strained his hamstring in June and missed a month. Senga returned to post a 5.90 ERA over nine starts, leading the club to option him to Triple-A in early September — a move he could have rejected under his contract but did not. He stayed in Triple-A for the remainder of the season. In total, he has made 52 starts across his three years in New York.
Betting Markets Adjust to Injuries and Roster Changes
Sportsbooks recalibrated their outlook on the Mets following their 2025 performance and midseason trades. DraftKings currently lists New York at +1500 to win the 2026 World Series and +600 to win the National League. FanDuel has them at +1100 for the World Series; BetMGM posts +1400. For comparison, PointsBet opened the Mets at +700 for the 2025 title before the season unraveled.
Senga’s individual futures followed a similar arc. He opened 2025 around +2800 for the NL Cy Young Award and remained in that range in the early evaluations. After the June hamstring strain and uneven return, his odds slipped dramatically, falling to +10000 by late September. He now appears near 110–1 in updated listings. He also surfaces at +5000 in Comeback Player of the Year markets.
Trade Conditions and Impact on Rotation Options
Senga’s no-trade clause narrows the Mets’ options, and his 2024–25 injury history has tempered the aggressiveness of potential suitors. The team removed him from the rotation in September while still attempting to stay in the postseason race, an indication of internal concern.
If Senga remains, the projected rotation includes Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, Sean Manaea, and David Peterson alongside him. McLean retains minor-league options but is expected to hold a rotation spot after his 2025 performance. Manaea, Holmes, and Peterson lack options but have bullpen experience, giving the Mets flexibility. The club could consider moving one of those arms, though none is likely to bring back a return matching Senga’s upside, and Manaea’s contract and 2025 results may limit market interest.