With the Giants looking for rotation help, it isn’t surprising that the club has joined the increasingly lengthy list of teams considering Kodai Senga. President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi discussed and praised Senga with reporters (including John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle) earlier this week, noting that the Japanese right-hander is “very physically talented” and “we’ve heard great things about” Senga on a personal level.
“For all pitchers, we look not just at the performance but their pitching style and what adjustments they might have to make coming to Major League Baseball….It’s about evaluating and understanding where his market is going to be and also for us to think about how we can help him, if there’s interest, be as good as he can be in the major leagues,” Zaidi said.
There was also an intriguing visual hint of the Giants’ interest on Saturday, as reporter Marc Delucchi (Twitter link) noticed that a mock-up image of Senga in a Giants uniform was briefly posted on Oracle Park’s scoreboard. That would seem to hint at some kind of recruiting video or perhaps even an in-person visit was taking place as part of San Francisco’s courtship of the 29-year-old hurler.
The Angels, Red Sox, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mariners, Cubs, Dodgers, and Padres have all been linked to Senga’s market, and it’s probably fair to assume that every contender with a rotation need will make a call to Senga’s agent Joel Wolfe. As per Wolfe’s recent comments to Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago, Senga is “very open minded” about his move to North America, but “would like to play in a big market with a team that wants to try and win right now. He has a great deal of interest in being in a big market.”
That criteria would seem to give the Giants an edge, as the team has the Bay Area market behind it, and is only a season removed from a 107-55 record. While the Giants were only a .500 team in 2022, they are expected to be aggressive in reloading the roster for another run, and the team has plenty of available payroll room to add premium talent.
During Zaidi’s tenure, San Francisco has been relatively conservative when it comes to larger contracts, so some kind of splurge will be necessary to land Senga. MLBTR projects Senga for a five-year, $75MM deal as he makes the jump from Nippon Professional Baseball to Major League Baseball, with that contract figure reflecting Senga’s age, ability, and what might be required to outbid his many suitors.
Signing Senga would be an immediate way of replacing Carlos Rodon in the Giants’ rotation, though Zaidi has said that the team is also still hoping to bring Rodon back in free agency. Logan Webb, Alex Cobb, Alex Wood, Anthony DeSclafani, and Jakob Junis comprise the current starting five, yet Wood is coming off a shaky season, DeSclafani an injury-marred season, and the Giants prefer Junis as a long reliever and swingman rather than as a clear-cut starting pitcher.
Who isn’t?
I haven’t seen any news on him connected to mystery yet. Mystery usually makes the news on every player
Did Jon Hamm narrate their recruitment video?
Breaking News: Every team that thinks they have a shot at the playoffs next year is interested in pretty much every above average pitcher.
Mind. Blown.
Even the delusional ones.
Even non-contenders that think they’re only a year or two away from competing might be in on him.
So every team except the pirates, nationals and reds.
And Rockies can never tell what is going on with that FO
Interested in being in a big market. So he wants to get paid and have a chance to win. Join the other 95% of players.
Someone is going to end up paying him 20m plus a season. Just too much interest in him not to get that.
Orioles?
I’d be down with that. The O’s got a great ROI from their last big Asian pitcher signing, Wei-Yin Chen. Maybe it’s time for another one.
I’m sorry did you not read the piece where he emphasized big market?
Senga posted at the right time, the bidding will raise his value!
He pitched 148 innings last year (the most was 2019 when he threw 180), but his stats are undeniable. This would be one of the ways the Giants could go big. I dubbed him for the Cubs, but I’d happily be wrong.
He’s a Cub. Ricketts will shut up the experts they don’t have the money or won’t spend it .
Rangers and Giants will both be willing to go over 100 mil for his services
So let’s see if Farhan can actually land a big free agent. Seems like every year they are linked to a big name until the end but fail to get the deal done.
Giants have arguably the most interesting offseason this year. They are sitting at about $125MM CBT, per Fangraphs, so they could land several top-tier FAs. They also have a variety of needs and the money to surpass the CBT tiers if they so choose. This could be a wild offseason for the fans, or a relatively tame one given Zaidi’s past with this team.
I don’t think Zaidi could have made it much clearer that he is prepared to pay players this offseason. Going by his previous comments, he is probably rocking an off season t-shirt with “cashed up” emblazoned on the front. For me, and as alluded to in his comments, its more a matter of which FA’s really want to be there.
Haha! Love the tee idea. Yeah, I he’s really his commentary about being prepared and able to afford any amount for any FA, which is a bit unnerving given the whole Judge-Giant fan-FA ordeal. I fully expect you all to land a Turner-like IFer with a big-name OFer, if not Judge, perhaps Nimmo? I haven’t followed too closely, but it appears SP is probably pretty high on the list too. Doval is really, really good, so they seem set there.
The park is beautiful, fanbase is committed and vigorously supports the team, and the area is nice (it’s California). I don’t see why players wouldn’t want to go there. Plus, they’ve had the most recent dynasty in MLB. And, they have a lot of history, specifically Willie Mays, perhaps the best player in contemporary era baseball.
The Judge circus is going to be fun. Bring it on. May the best team win ! Wasn’t happy all the writers on here went Yankees. It put on a downer on some otherwise high hopes.
My read is the Giants have positioned themselves as a development club for good blokes. My comment about wanting to be there is about the development aspect. Even if your a $300m plus guy, you need to be wanting to develop, if it’s going to be the right place for you.
Ah, that’s a really good point in terms of development. I hadn’t considered that perspective, honestly.
I’d say, “bring it on,” back, but I’m afraid that would be the last nail in the coffin for Judge’s return! Nonetheless, it’ll be exciting for you guys, man. A lot to look forward to as a Giants fan.
Zaidi needs to put money where his mouth is.
You need to stop bitching on the internet.
What we the other guys name? Shu- something Yamaguhci I think?…
Sakamito Yoshida first name might be spelled wrong but something like that. Last name is correct.
Thanks
The Giants have to spend big, but not just on one or two players. They have a lot of holes to fill.
Interesting personal name, Kodai. To me it translates as Little Big Man.
I hops he signs with the cubs. He’s a perfect fit for them. They need a number 2. He has ties with Suzuki. They have the same agent. I hope Yu vouches for him like he did for Suzuki.
It will be intreresting to see how his skill translates to the MLB. The stadium he has played in for his whole career has a very low BABIP compared to the league average for Japan. and quite pitcher friendly.
ranzankeikoku.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-2567.html
Normally, Oracle Park would play like a pitcher friendly park, however, since 2020, it has been more hitter friendly.
baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/statcast-venue?…
His skillset may play well for the following teams
TB Rays
Mariners
Cardinals
Mets
Padres
Honestly, based on competition, I would say Seattle would make the most sense, as they are playing some weaker teams in Oakland, LAA & Texas, but given the NL Central right now, a decent case could be made for St. Louis as well.
Like defensive metrics, single season park effects can be misleading. That’s why Statcast defaults to a 3 year rolling average. You’re correct that Oracle no longer plays like the pitcher’s park it once was, but it would be more accurate to describe it as playing neutral, not hitter-friendly, since the changes were made to the park in 2020 offseason.
baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/statcast-park-f…
I think he signs with Seattle too. Big market, current contender, plenty of cap space and ready to splurge. Would give the M’s one of the best rotations in all of baseball. Then go grab Nimmo, Bogaerts, and Yoshida.
Breaking news:
Giants interested in anyone with a pulse….haha
Breaking news: you’re not funny
You may be on to something vin_scully….the Giants are the 3rd or 4th best team in their division talent wise and ARE in fact interested in just about anyone with a pulse….so it wasn’t really a joke….
Let’s see, A top Japanese starter who WANTS to pitch in the States and has no posting fee? Egads Batman, Everyone is interested! Is this even a story? This is the writers idea of breaking news huh? The guy is facing huge cultural problems already, So he’s going to go wherever he feels most comfortable plain and simple. I doubt money will matter as much as compatibility, Wherever that is. But, I’ve been wrong before.
Kodak Senga is a bit wild. He seems lDaiske Matsuzaka like.
I know some people can get a bit sensitive about negative Giants comments, especially if you’re over at the McCovey Chronicles and all 6 of their regulars. But man it’s tough to buy into this team right now.
They are going to say the right things and be interested in everyone, but I think they’re going to end up running 70+ people through the roster thinking 81-81 2022 was the fluke and not 107-55 2021. It’s as if Zaidi has a bet with someone that he can win a WS with a sub $100mil payroll which is where they’re headed.
There’s being sensitive, and then there is being fair and reasonable to the people controlling the club you support. The incessant, repetitive and gutless commentary aimed at particular individuals deserves push back.
If it’s hard to buy in, don’t buy in. Simple. Come back when they are structured to your liking. But buying in and then undertaking a relentless, negative campaign against the FO’s methods is weak and good for nothing.
No apologies here. I’ll always be defending the organisation I support against the tendency for weak, disappointed people to make themselves feel better by attacking and scapegoating.
Foppert, when I read the same old Zaidi negative assumptions by posters, I always reflect on the day Lacob traded Monte Ellis. I was ecstatic. Finally, an effort to move beyond being content to barely win 40 games. Curry Ellis were crowd pleasers and fun to watch but I wanted more. TONS of “fans” were VERY upset. “Lacob has ruined GS!!!”. Many quit as fans. I went the opposite direction. I couldn’t wait for what came next. This giants regime has taken an organization that had a bottom of the league farm system and an out of control payroll and completely reversed directions. The 107 wins was not a fluke. 2021. Led league in HRs. Best bullpen. Record in pinch hit HRs. Analytics? Led league in pitches seen per at bat by hitters. Led league in least amount of pitches thrown per at bat by pitchers. Those last 2 items are completely by plan and not by fluke. 4 old guys whoeveryone complained were past prime had phenomenal years. So guess what, ownership figures let’s go with them again. Why would ownership (btw posters, Zaidi is not in that group) think differently and overspend. So yes, those 4 vets regressed (massive regression by Posey lol). Farm system regressed. Not expected so now money will be spent. Whiners that say Zaidi has not shown willingness to spend will see that now its different for reasons just stated. Ownership/Zaidi know that both 2021 and 2022 were outliers in different directions. When Joe Lacob looks back at Chris Mullen Night which occurred right after the Monte Ellis trade, when the whole arena booed him relentlessly, he doesnt think “I showed them”. He wasn’t worried about fan perceptions. He knew it was the shrewd and right thing to do. And now he has 4 rings to prove it. So posters, keep booing giants management. Please.
Well Vin Scully made a negative comment on the FB side. I guess he can dish it out but can’t take it. The more I read his comments he seems to be a 10 YO.
Sorry compass and maybe I’m a little slow, but I didn’t understand your post. “..FB side”? Please clue me in
FootBall. Man, just slap me.