The New York Mets have secured their rotation by signing left-hander Sean Manaea to a three-year, $75 million contract, according to reports from ESPN. Manaea, 32, is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, solidifying himself as a key player during the Mets’ surprising run to the National League Championship Series.
The signing broke late Sunday night, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan tweeting, "BREAKING: Left-hander Sean Manaea and the New York Mets are in agreement on a three-year, $75 million contract, sources tell ESPN. The 32-year-old is running it back with the Mets." Manaea's contract is pending physical, but both sides are optimistic about his return.
Last season, Manaea established himself as more than just another cog in the Mets' pitching wheel. He posted impressive numbers, with a record of 12 wins and 6 losses, complemented by a solid 3.47 ERA over 181.2 innings pitched. His performance was marked by 184 strikeouts, contributing to his dominance on the mound. The opposing hitters struggled against him, managing only a .201 batting average, showcasing his effectiveness as he became one of the most reliable left-handed starters.
After the All-Star break, Manaea took his game to another level. He refined his pitching delivery and boasted numbers bearing out his improvement; he achieved a 3.05 ERA and struck out 124 batters during 121 innings, succumbing to only 38 walks. His steadfast effort earned him recognition, finishing 11th in the Cy Young voting.
Manaea's contributions extended beyond the regular season. He stepped up significantly during the postseason, where he became one of the go-to pitchers for the Mets, pitching deep and efficiently when it mattered most. Across three playoff starts, Manaea yielded just five earned runs over 17 innings, demonstrating his mettle under pressure.
Originally drafted by the Kansas City Royals with the 34th overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, Manaea began his major league career with the Oakland Athletics, debuting back in 2016. He has since played with the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants before landing with the Mets. His career statistics reflect his experiences; he holds an overall 4.04 ERA across nine big league seasons.
The decision to re-sign Manaea reflects the Mets' strategy of nurturing and stabilizing their starting rotation, especially as they aim for another playoff push. With Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes also added to the mix this offseason, the Mets are constructing what they hope will be a formidable lineup of pitchers. The front office—led by David Stearns and owner Steve Cohen—has shown no hesitation to invest heavily this winter, with the total free agent spending reaching nearly $916.25 million.
Mets management's door remains open for additional signings. The absence of star player Pete Alonso has left some uncertainty as they seek to reinforce their roster even more. The potential to re-sign Alonso remains uncertain, but the Mets have been linked to various other free agents, with names like Alex Bregman surfacing as potential targets. The Mets' future aspirations appear ambitious following the acquisition of superstar Juan Soto to their roster.
Manaea's deal is positioned to provide the Mets much-needed stability. His previous season’s transformation—employing an altered arm slot modeled after the successful Chris Sale—played a pivotal role in boosting his performance, and the team hopes this new chapter solidifies Manaea's role as their frontline pitcher. Several players from last season continue to contribute to the team dynamic, and Manaea's valued presence promises to sustain good team chemistry, something the Mets pride themselves on.
Given the depth and variability the Mets are building within their pitching staff, they are set to start the upcoming season with hopeful optimism. Alongside Manaea, Kodai Senga and David Peterson are expected to be top of the rotation, with both Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes rounding out what could easily become one of the league's most formidable rotations.
With important games on the horizon, the New York Mets continue to position themselves not merely to compete, but to dominate the league as they return for another season. The faith they’ve shown in Manaea, reflected through this contract, signals their determination and forward momentum as they build for success.
