After going through quite a few Japanese imports for over a decade and somewhat being underachieving at that particular department, the Mets signed this southpaw toward the end of 2009 Spring Training after he was released by Blue Jays. Takahashi quickly earned a spot in the Major League after a strong showing in AAA, and he became the 3rd oldest rookie in the Major League history behind Satchel Paige and Diomedes Olivo when he debuted.