The San Diego Padres have reportedly checked in on the availability of New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga, according to sources.
Senga, whom the Padres pursued as a free agent after the 2022 season, has been a target of interest for San Diego's head of baseball operations A.J. Preller, known for his active approach at this stage of the season. The Padres are actively seeking to upgrade their starting pitching, an area where they have struggled to find consistent length from their rotation.
In recent times, the Padres have relied on relievers or multiple hybrid starters to cover innings, with Michael King being a rare exception for providing consistent starts. This strategy highlights the team's desperation for more reliable starting pitching.
Senga's recent performance has been hampered by injuries and inconsistent results since his strong debut season. He made his first start since June 23 on Friday, pitching four effective innings against the Miami Marlins before fading in the fifth. Despite these challenges, his stuff has remained potent.
Acquiring Senga would present hurdles for the Padres. He is owed approximately $4.7 million for the remainder of the current season and $14 million next year. For a trade to materialize, the Mets would likely need to absorb a significant portion of his remaining contract or accept unfavorable financial considerations in return.
Preller's interest in Senga dates back to his time as a free agent following his tenure with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. Senga's connection to Padres pitcher Yu Darvish, a mentor with whom he has worked out in the offseason, could also be a factor. This pursuit aligns with Preller's recent strategy of acquiring pitchers with established major league success, though results have been mixed with additions like Walker Buehler, Griffin Canning, Lucas Giolito, and German Marquez this season.
The Padres have also explored creative solutions for their pitching staff, including combining veteran pitchers like Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Nick Pivetta for starting duties, although the long-term viability of these arrangements remains unclear. Senga may represent a low-cost opportunity for San Diego to bolster their starting rotation, potentially in a hybrid role.