Mets Set to Sign Sean Manaea

 

Mets Agree to Three-Year, $75MM Deal with Lefty Sean Manaea

The New York Mets have reached a three-year, $75 million agreement with left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal is pending a physical, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. 

Manaea, who will turn 33 in February, is set to sign with the Mets for the second consecutive offseason. Last January, the southpaw joined New York on a two-year, $28 million contract, which included an opt-out clause after the 2024 season. That deal followed a similar pattern, as Manaea had also signed a two-year, $25 million guarantee with the San Francisco Giants during the 2022-23 offseason.

Manaea's initial contract with the Giants came after a rough 2022 campaign in San Diego, where he posted a 4.96 ERA (76 ERA+) and a 4.53 FIP in 158 innings. However, his time with San Francisco proved to be more promising. While his 4.44 ERA (94 ERA+) remained below average, his underlying numbers were stronger (3.91 FIP, 3.83 SIERA), and he finished the season on a high note, recording a 2.25 ERA and 3.21 FIP in September.

The Mets clearly saw potential in Manaea, and he lived up to their expectations in 2024. The left-hander emerged as a reliable mid-rotation option for New York, posting a career-best 3.47 ERA (114 ERA+) with a 3.83 FIP across a career-high 181 2/3 innings over 32 starts. After a standout season, Manaea seemed ready to seek a long-term deal heading into free agency.

The Mets had initially extended him a Qualifying Offer for one year and $21.05 million, but it came as no surprise when Manaea rejected the offer and tested the market. MLB Trade Rumors had ranked him as the #10 overall free agent and the #5 starting pitcher available this offseason, behind only Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, Max Fried, and Jack Flaherty.