Right-handed pitcher Kodai Senga has signed with the New York Mets. Senga, who will be 30-years-old entering the 2023 season, was a free agent target of several teams including the Cubs. Ultimately, Senga has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract with the Mets worth $75 million.
As recently as Saturday morning, Bruce Levine was on 670 The Score, talking about the Cubs interest in Senga. The Cubs did meet with the pitcher's agent, but for whatever reason Senga is now headed to New York.
I do have to say, based on the hype, and compared to some of the contracts we have seen for starting pitchers so far this offseason, Senga did not get as much as I thought. So, teams didn’t LOVE love him. Now, that isn't to say you shouldn't be disappointed as a Cubs fan if you really wanted Jed Hoyer to sign him...which based on reports they were trying to bring him to Chicago.
Who knows if we will ever find out what the Cubs offered Senga, but if they didn't go up to $75 million, then that would be disheartening. Hey, maybe Senga just really loved New York and the Mets. Or there were other reasons than money. Yet, the only excuse I don't think is valid is Senga picking the Mets because they are in a better position to win. Well, that's an indictment on the Cubs and Hoyer.
But again, the contract does raise an eyebrow. I mean, the Cubs did sign Jameson Taillon to a four-year, $68 million contract, so it's not like they've been afraid to shell out money to pitchers. And according to other reports, the Giants were also interested in Senga and they've been saying how they're open to spending big on any player they like. So, Senga had some big hitters interested in him, but at the end only got $75 million? I'm emphasizing only purely based on the market and his age.
It is very possible that teams across MLB do not believe in Senga's ability to become a top of the rotation arm.
Nevertheless, the Cubs have been saying the checkbook is open and well, Cubs fans are getting restless.
However, I don't agree with the full on panic about missing out on Senga and I have a lot of confidence in the Cubs current pitching infrastructure to continue developing their pitching prospects. The key to this offseason is still on signing good hitters to improve the offense and free agent shortstop Carlos Correa must be the Cubs top priority.
This seems obvious, but the Cubs are still pursuing Correa.
I wrote more about why I feel the Cubs are in a good position with Correa based on something we've seen out of Boston relating to how the Xander Bogaerts sweepstakes ended.
There is absolutely no excuse to get out-bid for Correa by any team if you're the Cubs.
We talk about Correa, Dansby Swanson as plan B for the Cubs and what else they still need to do in addition to one of those signings this offseason on the Pinwheels And Ivy Podcast.
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