The New York Mets may still be looking to offload a key pitcher in 2026. As of now, the club has six viable starters in the rotation heading into the new season. It remains to be seen if manager Carlos Mendoza will opt to regularly use all six pitchers. The situation, however, is not necessarily a bad problem to have.
According to FanGraphs and Bleacher Report, the Mets are expected to start the season with a rotation of Freddy Peralta, Nolan McLean, David Peterson, Clay Holmes, Sean Manaea, and Kodai Senga. Peralta has emerged as the team’s new ace after he was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in a blockbuster trade. McLean, on the other hand, is set to enter his first full season in the big leagues.
Because the team’s top prospect is still inexperienced, Mendoza is likely to be careful with his workload. McLean has never pitched more than 113.2 innings in a season during his professional career. It seems fairly unlikely that he will breach this mark in 2026 with New York. As a result, the Mets could end up relying more on the bottom of the rotation pitchers, such as Manaea and Senga.
Nevertheless, the logjam at the position could also ease if one of the starters is ultimately dealt. According to CBS Sports reporter Mike Axisa, Senga will likely remain on the trade block heading towards the summer. The Japanese star was made available throughout the offseason, yet no teams pounced on him. As a result, he remains a part of the Mets for now.
Kodai Senga Just Wants to Remain Healthy With the New York Mets in 2026
GettyKodai Senga is looking to bounce back in 2026 after struggling with injuries the last two seasons.
As Axisa points out, clubs were potentially scared away from Senga due to his past injury issues. After an incredible start to the 2025 season, including a 1.39 ERA in his first 14 starts, the starter struggled with a nagging hamstring injury. He was not the same pitcher following the issue. Senga also missed most of 2024 with shoulder and calf problems.
The ongoing issues have clearly frustrated the star. During a recent interview, Senga was asked about his personal goals for the upcoming 2026 season. The pitcher responded to the question with just four words: “To not get injured.”
Assuming he can remain healthy, Senga will be looking to replicate his 2023 freshman campaign. He went 12-7 on the year, while posting a 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 166 innings en route to finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting. Even if he can get in the same neighborhood, his annual salary of $15 million over the next two years would turn out to be a solid deal for the Mets or any other MLB team.
Dealing Senga Could Help New York Grab Another Hitter
If Senga starts the 2026 season well once again, the Mets could dangle him to help address other needs. Although New York revamped their roster, they do still have some question marks in right field and DH. Defense may also continue to be a concern as well, especially considering Bo Bichette is about to play a new position.
Senga did not exactly get off to a great start in spring training with the Mets. The starter recently gave up two home runs in two and 2/3 innings during his 2026 preseason debut. Axisa specifically named three National League West rivals, the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres, as potential future Senga suitors.
Mets Star Pitcher Expected to Remain on Trade Block