Ex-Mets GM predicts Kodai Senga's role in 2025 after Sean Manaea signs $75,000,000 deal to remain with team 

New York Mets ace Kodai Senga is set to share his duties with Sean Manaea in 2025 after the free agent signed a $75 million deal with the club on Monday. The Japanese pitcher was the Mets' preferred starter heading into 2024 but a string of injuries limited him to only one appearance in the regular season.

In his absence, Manaea stepped up and recorded an impressive season which earned him another contract. According to former Mets GM Jim Duquette, the team will rely on both pitchers to lead the rotation.

"Senga coming off the injury, if he pitched healthy all last year, he'd be the clear go-to guy. But Manaea, the way he pitched this last year – over 180 innings – not many starting pitchers in the sport threw that many innings," Duquette said speaking on SNY TV.

"I think the short answer is that both guys will end up sharing those duties and not just one or the other. That way you don't have to rely on one guy, you can rely on two," he added.

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Kodai Senga started his professional career with NPB's Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2012 and established himself as one of the best pitchers over the next decade. In 2023, he was posted to the MLB market and signed a five-year, $75 million contract with the Mets. After an impressive debut season in MLB with an All-Star selection, he struggled with injuries in 2024.

Despite an injury-ridden year, Senga managed to return to fitness during the postseason. However, he struggled to make an impact in the playoffs. He is now faced with healthy competition from Sean Manaea this year and will hope to return to his best.

Former MLB pitcher gives his take on Sean Manaea's $75 million contract with Mets

The New York Mets re-signed Sean Manaea on a three-year, $75 million contract and most people agree that it is a good deal. Former MLB pitcher Ron Darling believes that the pitcher could have gotten a better contract elsewhere, but chose loyalty over money.

"You hear fans all the time talking about, 'Well they never take the hometown discount. Players never do that, they only take the most money.' This is an example of a player that really wanted to come back," Darling said on MLB Tonight.

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It is always a good sign for teams when players believe in the team's progress and future. Looking at the Mets' moves this winter, they have given their players every reason to believe that they are poised for major success next year.

How do you think the New York Mets will fare next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.