Surprising NY Mets rumors provide an “out” David Stearns needs to make happen

And the winner for the most surprising New York Mets rumors of the year go to…the San Diego Padres actually checking in on Kodai Senga’s availability. According to the NY Post’s Joel Sherman, they have expressed some level of interest in the fallen Mets starting pitcher.

Phase one of a necessary 100 to actually make a trade happen, we shouldn’t think too deeply about the Mets being able to rid themselves of a roster burden such as Senga. A recent good yet short start this past Friday, Senga ran into some of his same issues. Either a mess in inning one or by the time we get to the fifth inning, the Mets have to face facts about what he is and that’s not a member of the team’s blueprint for next year.

The Mets exhaustively had three different pitchers throwing in relief this year as “bulk guys.” Senga was demoted to the role to join in the pattern of Sean Manaea and David Peterson who also were eliminated from a starting rotation spot. Better but still bad in relief for the Mets, there is no statistic in 2026 to justify keeping Senga around. If the Padres are willing to buy him, the Mets need to sell him.

It's time the Mets let the Padres figure out what to do with Kodai Senga

An injury-filled 2024, a collapse in 2025, and a complete mess in 2026 have defined Senga’s last three Mets seasons. His Cy Young contending rookie year in 2023 was the mirage.

There is no doubt ability there. However, the constant catering to his needs has gotten tiresome. Senga hasn’t demanded or expressed he requires the added day of rest at any point. His forkball remains one of the league’s deadliest pitches, holding batters to a .109 batting average this year. Add in the 42.5% whiff rate and the Ghost Fork has been spooking hitters plenty this season.

The Mets gave it a try in 2026 with Senga and learned their lesson the hard way. He has no role and to spend any more time trying to have him figure it out is dangerous to the team’s immediate future.

For David Stearns, he can either sell Senga now and lose the trade, maybe shedding some salary in the process. More important is the cleared roster space. The Mets can’t field a team where Senga is one of 26 heading into 2027. That’s one less alternative they could possibly hit on. The risk of Senga figuring it out in San Diego isn’t worth the continued agony of seeing him struggle in New York.

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