The San Diego Padres have a clear need heading into the 2026 season: they need a frontline starter to help stabilize a rotation that took a hit with Dylan Cease’s departure in free agency. And while the biggest name still on the market-Framber Valdez-might seem like the obvious target, the Padres’ current financial constraints could push them toward a more strategic, cost-effective move. That’s where New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga enters the conversation.
Senga, who’s under club control through 2027 with a club option for 2028, could be exactly the kind of high-upside, financially manageable arm San Diego needs. He’s coming off a season where he posted a 7-6 record with a 3.02 ERA, 109 strikeouts, and a 1.315 WHIP over 113 innings.
The numbers tell the story of a pitcher who, when healthy, is more than capable of anchoring a rotation. And that’s the key-when he’s healthy.
Yes, Senga’s injury history is something to monitor. But the upside is undeniable.
His "ghost fork" remains one of the nastiest pitches in baseball, and when he’s locked in, he looks every bit the ace that teams covet in October. For a Padres club that’s still looking to contend despite tightening payroll, that kind of talent on a team-friendly deal is hard to ignore.
Speaking of the deal, the proposed trade would send lefty J.P. Sears, right-handed pitching prospect Bradgley Rodriguez (San Diego’s No. 6 prospect), and first baseman Kale Fountain (No. 8 in the system) to the Mets in exchange for Senga.
That’s a reasonable haul, but it’s not a backbreaker for the Padres’ farm system. Sears offers the Mets a controllable starter with MLB experience, while Rodriguez and Fountain bring upside at key positions.
For San Diego, it’s a gamble worth taking-especially when you consider what it would cost to land someone like Valdez on the open market.
Valdez is reportedly seeking a nine-figure deal, and with the Padres navigating ownership’s financial reset, that kind of commitment might be out of reach. Senga’s current five-year, $75 million contract is far more palatable, especially for a team trying to thread the needle between contending and staying fiscally responsible.
The Padres don’t have the luxury of waiting much longer. Spring training is around the corner, and their rotation, as it stands, lacks the kind of proven, high-ceiling arm that can go toe-to-toe with the best in the league. Senga may not be the flashiest name available, but he checks a lot of boxes: frontline stuff, postseason potential, and a contract that won’t handcuff the front office.
If San Diego wants to stay in the thick of the NL playoff picture, this is the kind of move that could make a real difference-not just in April, but when the games really start to matter in September and beyond.