After the New York Mets signed Juan Soto to a record-setting 15-year, $765 million deal earlier this offseason, the focus shifted to the team’s starting pitching rotation in Queens.
While New York has been effective at revitalizing pitchers previously considered rejects, the question remains whether they can replicate that success in 2025.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer recently predicted the Mets would re-sign starting pitcher Sean Manaea to a $75 million deal. Manaea was one of those breakout pitchers mentioned earlier.
“Manaea went from having a solid season to an excellent one, finishing with a 3.09 ERA and a 4.6 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his last 12 starts,” Rymer wrote. “Though his whiff rate only ranked in the 54th percentile, Manaea isn’t as overpowering as someone like Chris Sale. Still, he’s a reliable bet to age well due to his ability to outsmart hitters with his pitch variety.
“He throws six pitches, and his new delivery makes it more difficult for batters to track the ball. If Yusei Kikuchi can land three years and $63 million, Manaea should get at least that much.”
A reunion makes perfect sense. The Mets and Manaea had a strong partnership last season, and with the Mets’ financial resources, they can afford to bring him back. If he’s looking to win and earn a substantial contract, Queens is the ideal destination.
The only scenario where this doesn’t happen is if a smaller-market team, such as the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Guardians, or Los Angeles Angels, offers significantly more than the market value for Manaea. If not, he’ll likely remain with the Mets.
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