Japan pitcher Kodai Senga (41) throws in the eighth inning against USA during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels both pursuing Japanese ace Kodai Senga

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 11/12/22

The Los Angeles Dodgers and their inter-city rivals the Angles are both reportedly in the hunt for the same top international pitcher on the MLB free agent market.

The Dodgers and Angels had very different seasons in 2022. The Dodgers finished with the best record in baseball and were a dominant force all season. The Angels on the other hand were very much the opposite. As they finished third in the American League West and suffered a seventh straight losing season despite having MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani.

Each team’s approach to this winter’s MLB free agency period will also be different. The Dodgers will be looking to maintain the World Series contender status they have held for the last few years with key moves, while the Halos will be trying to get back to being a winning team for the first time since 2015.

Yet for all their differences, they seemed to be aligned on the fact that a very good pitcher from the land of the rising sun is available on this year’s MLB free agent market. And both teams are interested.

Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels could be in bidding war for Kodai Senga

While a lot of attention over the next few weeks will be on known pitching commodities like Jacob deGrom and Carlos Rodon, one player that is drawing a great deal of interest is Fukuoka Softbank Hawks ace Kodai Senga.

Kodai Senga stats (2022): 11-6, 1.89 ERA, 159 Ks,148 IP

Last week, it was reported that the 29-year-old had filed the paperwork to make his talents available to the highest bidder this winter. Soon after came reports that the Texas Rangers were already one team interested. Well, on Saturday, MLB Network league insider Jon Morosi broke the news that both LA organizations are in the running as well.

“Sources: Angels among teams that have checked in on free agent Kodai Senga, joining the Dodgers and Rangers, among others, as previously reported.”
– Latest on Kodai Senga chase

Both franchises have a history of drawing Japanese stars, however, having a top name on the roster like Ohtani has to give the Angels a bit of an advantage.

Senga has pitched for the Hawks of the Nippon Professional Baseball league for the last 11 seasons. The soon to be 30 year old has a 2.59 career ERA and 1,252 strikeouts in over 1,000 innings pitched. This past season, he posted an 11-6 record with a 1.89 ERA and struck out 159 batters in 148 innings.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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