The Mets agreed to a two-year, $28 million contract with free agent left-hander Sean Manaea early Sunday morning. Post learned.
The contract includes a player opt-out after the 2024 season.
The Manaea deal further strengthens a rotation that started the winter very thin, following last year's loan deals that released future Hall of Famers Max Scherzer and prospects Justin Verlander. It turns out.
The Mets previously acquired former Yankees forward Luis Severino for $13 million and acquired Adrian Houser in a trade from the Brewers.
Manaea, a southpaw, helps balance a rotation led by right-hander Kodai Chiga, who also includes right-handers Severino and Hauser.
Jose Quintana is another left-hander who is certain to be in the rotation, and left-handers David Peterson and Joey Lucchesi also remain potential starters.
The Mets have also been in contact with free agents Hyun-jin Ryu and Shota Imanaga, as well as two left-handed pitchers, so it's certainly possible the Mets will continue to add to their rotation, but those two pitchers remain. It's unclear whether they will. their radar.
The Mets say they expect to be competitive in 2024 and recent moves, including signing center fielder Harrison Bader, should give them a chance.
They have improved their midfield defense and the rotation now looks more solid, but it's not as star-studded as the rotation that started the 2023 season.
Veteran Manaea, 31, played well in the Giants' rotation last year, appearing in four starts and one relief game in September, posting a 2-1 record and a 2.67 ERA.
Manaea was primarily used as a reliever after a slow start in April, when he posted a 7.85 ERA. Overall, he went 7-6 with a 4.44 ERA last year.
This will be Manaea's first time outside of California, as he started his career in Oakland and also pitched in San Diego.
His overall record is 65 wins, 56 losses, and an ERA of 4.20.
