The New York Mets made a significant move to strengthen their starting rotation with the signing of left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea to a three-year contract. This decision comes as part of the Mets’ broader strategy to contend in the competitive National League East, a division that has been dominated by the Atlanta Braves in recent seasons. With the Mets’ pitching depth previously a concern, Manaea’s arrival adds a reliable arm to their rotation as they look to build on a promising core of talent.
A Steady Veteran Presence
Manaea, 32, brings a wealth of experience to the Mets’ pitching staff. Over his career, he has accumulated more than 1,000 innings pitched and has appeared in multiple postseason games. While not a household name like some of the other high-profile pitchers in the league, Manaea’s consistent performance and ability to handle high-pressure situations make him a valuable addition.
Having spent the majority of his career with the Oakland Athletics before a recent stint with the San Francisco Giants, Manaea has proven capable of thriving in different environments. His time in Oakland, especially, was marked by a successful run that included an All-Star selection in 2019, and he established himself as a top-tier starting pitcher in the A’s rotation. However, his tenure with the Giants saw mixed results, leading some to question whether he could regain his All-Star form.
Still, the Mets see considerable upside in Manaea’s addition. With a fastball that can reach the mid-90s and a slider that has consistently generated swings and misses, he remains a solid arm capable of making an impact on any rotation. His experience in the postseason, including a start in the 2020 AL Wild Card Series for the A’s, adds another layer of value for a Mets team hoping to make a deep playoff run.
Filling a Need in the Rotation
One of the Mets’ primary goals entering the offseason was to shore up their starting pitching depth. While their staff has some established stars, including reigning Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander and veteran Max Scherzer, there have been lingering questions about the consistency and health of the rotation behind them. With an injury-prone David Peterson and a less-than-dominant Tylor Megill among the other options, the Mets were in need of more reliable arms to fill out the back end of their rotation.
In signing Manaea, the Mets add a pitcher with a solid track record of eating innings and maintaining a relatively high level of performance. Manaea has averaged 30 starts per season over his career, which is exactly the kind of durability the Mets need in order to avoid over-relying on their bullpen. His experience in both the American League and National League is also invaluable as the Mets look to face a range of different lineups.
While Manaea may not be a top-of-the-rotation ace like Scherzer or Verlander, he brings the kind of stability that teams with championship aspirations require from their third or fourth starters. In the Mets’ case, Manaea could slot into the No. 3 or No. 4 spot, which would give manager Buck Showalter a dependable option behind his top two pitchers. That kind of depth could make a huge difference over the course of a 162-game season, especially in the grind of the NL East, where matchups against teams like the Braves, Phillies, and Marlins can be particularly challenging.
Impact on the Rest of the Rotation
Manaea’s arrival also provides added flexibility for the Mets when it comes to managing their starting rotation. With Verlander and Scherzer each nearing the end of their careers, the Mets are looking for ways to keep their veteran stars fresh throughout the season. Having a reliable No. 3 starter in Manaea allows the Mets to rotate their older pitchers with greater care, especially down the stretch when the team needs to preserve its best arms for the postseason.
The move could also benefit younger pitchers like Peterson and Megill. Both players have shown flashes of potential but have been inconsistent in their careers. Manaea’s experience and presence in the clubhouse could provide a stabilizing influence on them, offering mentorship and helping them to refine their approach to pitching. For Peterson in particular, Manaea’s addition may push him further down the rotation, which could ultimately be a positive development for his growth as a pitcher. Rather than being asked to fill a high-leverage role, Peterson could get more opportunities to develop his game in a lower-stress environment.
What Manaea Brings to the Mets
Manaea’s pitching repertoire is built around his fastball, which sits in the 93-95 mph range, and his devastating slider, which has been a key weapon throughout his career. He complements these two pitches with a changeup, which has improved in recent seasons and could become more effective as he works with Mets’ pitching coaches.
His ability to generate strikeouts, particularly with the slider, is one of the reasons he’s been so successful when healthy. Over his career, Manaea has averaged 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings, and he’s posted a strikeout rate of more than 9.0 K/9 in each of the last four seasons. That kind of swing-and-miss ability is a valuable asset for a team like the Mets, who want to limit the number of base runners they allow. With Manaea, they add a pitcher who can miss bats, which is often a key ingredient for success in high-leverage situations.
Another aspect of Manaea’s game that stands out is his ability to go deep into games. While he has had some ups and downs over the years, when Manaea is at his best, he’s capable of giving his team six or seven solid innings, thus helping to preserve the bullpen. With the Mets’ bullpen sometimes stretched thin in recent seasons, having a starter who can provide length will be crucial.
A Step Toward Contention
Manaea’s signing is also a clear signal that the Mets are focused on building a team capable of competing for a playoff spot in 2024. The Mets’ front office, led by general manager Billy Eppler, has been aggressive in improving the roster this offseason, and Manaea’s acquisition adds to a series of moves designed to bolster both the pitching staff and the overall roster.
The Mets have been in a period of transition after a somewhat disappointing 2023 season, and Manaea’s signing could help solidify their standing as one of the more well-rounded teams in the NL. With the Braves continuing to be a dominant force, the Mets are keenly aware of the need to not only keep pace but to build a team capable of knocking off Atlanta in a postseason series. Adding a pitcher like Manaea to the fold improves their chances of achieving that goal.
Looking Ahead
As the Mets continue to round out their roster for the 2024 season, Manaea’s signing could be a pivotal moment in their quest for postseason success. While the rotation now looks deeper, the team must also ensure that its other key players remain healthy and productive. As the Mets look to reclaim their spot among the NL’s elite, Manaea’s addition provides the kind of stability and experience that could make a significant difference when the games matter most.
In the ever-competitive NL East, pitching depth is often the difference between a team that makes a run to the playoffs and one that falls short. With Sean Manaea on board, the Mets have bolstered one of their most crucial areas, and he could be a key factor in determining how far the team goes in the upcoming season.
