NY Mets rumors: 3 Kodai Senga trade destinations and why each makes sense

The latest New York Mets rumors suggest Kodai Senga could have a new home. The starter turned reliever is drawing trade interest at the GM Meetings this week. A guy once believed to be difficult to trade apparently rebuilt some trust with his success as a reliever as well as his contract status. Only a one year commitment at this point, teams will be less hesitant to take the risk.

What the Mets can get back for him is debatable, but aim low. He is owed $14 million this coming season with a team option for 2028 everyone probably already thinks will get turned down.

For the Mets, the goal of trading him might be to subtract the salary as well as clear out the roster spot. Moving on from him could automatically lock Sean Manaea into a bullpen role and free up a chance to add to the rotation or even bring in a more proven high-leverage arm. What the Mets can’t do is cut off their own feet in the process simply because they’re sick of what he has offered. 

The question of whether the Mets should or shouldn’t trade him is one you already made up your mind about. What’s worth diving into is where he could possibly go.

Three Kodai Senga trade destinations for the Mets to look into

1) Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates showed us last year they’re no longer a team that’ll sit idle in the offseason. Several splashier moves had them competing for a good part of the 2026 season. Trading for Senga could go in either direction. With ex-Mets reliever Gregory Soto now a free agent after a so-so season where he was passed by Mason Montgomery in saves (18 vs. 16), there’s a clear opening for a high-leverage arm. Pittsburgh has already successfully gotten a lot out of former Mets Dennis Santana and Yohan Ramirez. A little more buried from the spotlight, one has to wonder if Senga could excel in a smaller market which the Pirates can provide. He’d join the team as an option for a variety of reliever roles.

2) Los Angeles Angels

New ownership should have the Los Angeles Angels interested in doing a few things differently. Senga won’t offer fans the purest of thoughts. However, as a relatively low-risk move that might do nothing more than add salary to the payroll, it could be one they’d be willing to make. The Angels are hardly a small market team even if their win-loss record suggests they are. The closer spot is wide open with Ryan Zeferjahn leading the team in 2026 with only 4 saves. For the Angels, there’s the added benefit of adding another player from Japan alongside Yusei Kikuchi. If they ever want a chance to build anything remotely close to the Los Angeles Dodgers as a destination for players from Japan, it can start with trades like these.

3) Washington Nationals

Could the Washington Nationals be a spot for Senga? They have the lowest projected payroll for next year and whether or not MLB institutes a salary floor, the Nationals could use an addition like this. At worst, it blows up in their face. At best, Senga helps them compete. Somewhere in the middle which feels most realistic is that Senga is just all right with the Nationals then becomes midseason trade fodder. Thanks to his still effective Ghost Fork, Senga will continue to intrigue teams into thinking there’s more to him than the numbers say.

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