Latest Kodai Senga Suitor Revealed In Most Bizarre Way

Teams are emerging day by day as the latest suitors for Japanese pitching sensation Kodai Senga. But one team was found to have joined the fray in the most unique and bizarre way. 

While the San Francisco Giants don't like to make their free agent pursuits public, they got caught red-handed by a beat reporter who happened to be driving by Oracle Park recently and caught a glimpse of a huge image of Senga photoshopped in a Giants' uniform with his No. 41 flashing on the Giants' ballpark's video screen.

It’s probably not very visible in the picture, but I just drove by Oracle Park and the scoreboard is illuminated with NPB star Kodai Senga in a #SFGiants uniform with the #41. It’s been reported #SFGameUp is interested in the free-agent righty and seems like a visit is imminent. pic.twitter.com/gtyVoq9Unb

— Marc Delucchi (@maddelucchi) November 12, 2022

Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi sheepishly admitted to the team's interest after the video screen rehearsal was revealed. 

“We’re going to have to start tenting our ballpark whenever we put anything up on the big screen,” Zaidi joked. “I think that’s the only official comment you’re going to get from me on that. Good sleuthing by Marc. We’ll have to tread a little more carefully with that if we don’t find a tent big enough to cover the ballpark.” 

And yes, the Giants have now actually met with Senga, and they are one of his top pursuers. “He’s obviously one of the top pitchers and players in Japan,” Zaidi said. “He’s had a long track record of success there. We’re just continuing to do our work and due diligence on him."

The soon to be 30 year old has posted a 2.59 ERA over 11 seasons in the NPB in Japan with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. He had a 1.94 ERA in 2022. 

 

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports