Sources: LHP Sean Manaea Rejoins Mets on Three-Year, $75M Contract

 

Sources: Sean Manaea Re-signs with Mets on Three-Year, $75 Million Deal

Left-hander Sean Manaea and the New York Mets have agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN, keeping the veteran pitcher with the team after a successful season that helped propel the Mets to a surprise National League Championship Series appearance.

Manaea, 32, emerged as a key figure in the Mets' rotation in 2024, posting a 12-6 record with a 3.47 ERA and 184 strikeouts over 181⅔ innings. The deal, which is pending a physical, will more than double Manaea’s career earnings, adding to the Mets’ aggressive offseason spending spree.

After signing a two-year, $28 million contract with the Mets last winter, Manaea exercised his opt-out clause. He then turned down New York’s one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer and entered free agency, where he attracted interest from multiple teams.

The starting pitching market has seen significant activity, with Manaea becoming the sixth pitcher to secure a free agent deal worth more than $21 million annually, and the 12th to surpass a $13 million average annual value. His impressive on-field performance, including a new arm slot that led to a standout season, as well as his leadership in the clubhouse, made it difficult for the Mets to pass up the opportunity to bring him back.

Mets Continue Major Offseason Spending Spree, Re-sign Manaea to $75M Deal

Already riding high from securing the largest contract in sports history — a 15-year, $765 million deal for outfielder Juan Soto — the New York Mets are continuing their aggressive offseason with a $75 million, three-year deal to re-sign left-hander Sean Manaea. This move adds another star to the team’s stacked roster as they gear up for the 2024 season.

With free agents Luis Severino and Jose Quintana leaving, the Mets filled their rotation with right-handers Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes, the latter transitioning from a relief role to starting pitcher. Additionally, they added right-handed starter Griffin Canning, bringing their total free agent spending this winter to an eye-popping $916.25 million. 

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Manaea’s return to the Mets was strongly desired, and he joins a select group of starting pitchers this offseason, including Blake Snell, Max Fried, and Nathan Eovaldi, all earning $25 million annually. Since being drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2013, Manaea has been a model of durability and deception, using his 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame to make his low-90s fastball play up.

In 2024, Manaea made significant adjustments to his pitching style. After two seasons focused on a four-seam fastball, he returned to a sinker-heavy approach that mimicked NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale’s lower arm slot. These changes helped Manaea reclaim his dominant form, closely resembling his 2021 performance. 

Manaea’s postseason contributions were notable as well. He allowed just two runs over five innings in a wild-card round start and pitched seven innings of one-run ball in a division series win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Although his Game 6 appearance in the NLCS ended early, Manaea’s overall postseason performance was a key factor in the Mets' deep playoff run.

Having thrown 1,184⅓ innings with a 4.00 ERA and 1,109 strikeouts over his career, Manaea will begin his 10th season in New York, a major boost to the Mets’ rotation.

With the addition of Soto, the Mets’ offseason spending is far from over. The team remains active in trade talks and could target first baseman Pete Alonso or third baseman Alex Bregman, potentially shifting Mark Vientos to third base if Bregman is signed. The Mets have also explored options in the outfield market, solidifying their commitment to building a championship-contending team.