New Mets pitcher Kodai Senga throws 100 mph and has a forkball so good it’s been called a “ghost” pitch, has a career 2.59 ERA and five rings in Japan before turning 30. But with a $75 million deal, he took some more than mid rotation starter Taijuan Walker. The reason may be what sources say is an anxious medical.
His fitness was actually fine before the details were finalized by a fitness-focused team in what was said to be a “good collective effort behind the scenes”. If this feature affected the final number, it also limited the potential drama. People in the know say it’s common for Japanese pitchers to show more wear and tear on the arm earlier, as the starters there throw more innings at younger ages.
The Mets are confident he’ll be healthy for 2023.
Meanwhile, Carlos Correa’s three deals provided plenty of drama. But in the end, he may have gotten the right deal — six years at a high AAV of $33.3 million — after a lot of headlines. One rival executive predicted that no one would ever get $200 million again after two setbacks (one doctor suggested Correa had the worst ankle he’d ever seen) and called it a “Houdini” job to get that much after a “collapse of market”. But Gemini loves him and pays no tax.
The Angels have already had a bumpy winter — Tyler Anderson at $40 million over three years and Carlos Estevez at $13.5 million over two years seem like rare potential bargains in this market — and they still have little to spend. They have reached out to Gary Sanchez, Zack Britton, Andrew Chafin, Elvis Andrus and Michael Wacha, among others.
Anthony Rendon, whom the Angels see as a key prospect, is said to be feeling “fantastic.”
Yuli Guerriel was asking $3 million. He’s still out there after turning down a few offers. He changed agents, but apparently the issue was actually his sub .700 OPS.
Dusty Baker is trying to get Gurriel back to the Astros, although the deal is tight following the signing of Jose Abreu.
Stephen Strasburg throws near his home in Washington. Pitching prognosis remains unclear as TOS provides no certainties.
Cole Hamels gets calls after an impressive throwing session in Arlington, Texas. He was 88-91 on the gun and looks to have a good chance at a comeback.
