The New York Mets kept pace in an escalating National League East arms race Sunday, reportedly agreeing to terms with left-hander Sean Manaea on a three-year, $75 million contract.
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.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 23, 2024Manaea, 32, went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts for New York in 2024, making a reunion likely as the Mets looked to run it back after reaching the National League Championship Series in October.
More news: Phillies Acquire Left-Handed Starter From NL East Rival
In nine major league seasons, Manaea is 77-62 with a 4.00 earned-run average for the Mets, San Francisco Giants (2023), San Diego Padres (2022) and Oakland A's (2016-21).
Jeff Passan of ESPN was first to report the two sides were in agreement.
Three-fifths of the Mets' starting rotation became free agents after the team was eliminated in the NLCS by the Los Angeles Dodgers: Manaea, left-hander Jose Quintana, and right-hander Luis Severino.
More news: One NL Contender Appears Out of Roki Sasaki Sweepstakes
Severino shockingly signed with the Athletics on a three-year, $67 million contract. The Mets pivoted to sign right-handers Griffin Canning, Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes, whom they aspire to convert into a starting pitcher after he closed for the Yankees last season.
The signing comes on the same day the defending NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies acquired left-hander Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins in exchange for two prospects.
More news: Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson Dies at 65
The Phillies' rotation already ran five-deep with right-handers Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Taijuan Walker joining lefties Christopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez. Philadelphia's starters posted a 3.81 ERA in 2024, eighth in MLB. The Mets had little choice but to respond.
Having already signed star outfielder Juan Soto, the prize of the offseason, to a 15-year, $765 million contract, the Mets only faced additional pressure not to waste the prime years of Soto's career early in his record pact.
More news: Star $20 Million Pitcher Will Split His Future Salary With Fans For a Price
The Mets are also one of four teams reported to have met with free agent starting pitcher Roki Sasaki and his agent in Southern California this week.
Manaea joins a Mets rotation that presently includes Kodai Senga, Paul Blackburn, and David Peterson as well as Montas, Canning and Holmes.
More news: Mets To Sign Right-Hander Cut By NL East Rival: Report
Signing Manaea allows the Mets some flexibility in case Senga does not recover from injuries that limited his 2024 regular season to one abbreviated start, or if Holmes' conversion from the bullpen to the starting rotation does not go as hoped.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
English (US) ·