Mets sign Kodai Senga to Five year Deal

 Late Saturday night, the New York Mets officially signed Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga to a five-year contract that will pay the right-hander $75 million. 

Senga comes to New York as one of the off-season’s highly touted pitchers, whose fastball has topped 100 mph in Japan. The soon-to-be 30-year-old Senga, started 11 seasons with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in the Nippon Professional Baseball League. 

He holds a lifetime 104-51 record with a 2.42 ERA in 1,304.2 innings. In addition to his heater, Senga brings a split-finger fastball nicknamed the Ghost Fork. Yikes!!

The signing of Senga pushes the Mets payroll to heights not seen in Major League Baseball. According to ESPN, the Mets competitive balance tax-payroll will be roughly $345 million. The Mets are also facing steep tax penalties, including a $76.2 million CBT bill, and a total payroll of $421 million.

Clearly owner Steve Cohen does not care what people think. He doesn't are about tax thresholds, the most recent of which was created because of him. He's got deep pockets and will spend in order to win. 

Yes, the Mets total payroll could exceed $400 million, but consider this, and we'll credit Amazin' Army on Twitter for this. Jacob deGrom's entire contract with Texas is worth $185 million. The Mets signed three starters: Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana for a grand total of $187 million. Yes, the Mets spent big bucks, but they were economical in doing so. 

The Mets got Senga, and they aren't done yet. 

Trades could be made still. The Mets could add another bat to the lineup. Anything is possible, especially with Cohen making the calls.  

See more from my article on Fox Sports New Jersey.