Japanese free-agent right-hander Kodai Senga agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract Saturday with the National League's New York Mets, MLB.com reported, citing a source with knowledge of the matter.
Senga, who will turn 30 in January, possesses a dominant split-fingered fastball, and a fastball that touches 100 miles per hour. He has long desired to pitch in MLB, but his Japanese club, the SoftBank Hawks, have steadfastly refused to post any players.
According to the report, the deal includes a full no-trade clause and an opt-out that would allow him to be a free agent after the 2025 season. The agreement is conditional on Senga passing a physical.
Since joining the Hawks in 2011 on a non-roster developmental contract out of high school, Senga is 87-44 with a 2.59 ERA. This year, he went 11-6 with a 1.94 ERA.
Once the deal is done, Senga will step into a Mets rotation that has added Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, who have won three Cy Young Awards apiece.
