Mets ink former SF Giants pitcher to two-year, $28 million contract

After a season with the SF Giants, lefty Sean Manaea has inked a two-year contract with the New York Mets, per Jon Heyman.

The New York Mets have agreed to a two-year, $28 million contract with SF Giants free-agent left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea, according to multiple reports. The deal includes a player opt-out after the first season. The agreement was first reported by Jon Heyman of The NY Post. The Giants had been reportedly interested in re-signing Manaea, but were unable to finalize a reunion.

SF Giants LHP Sean Manaea pitches against the Brewers at Oracle Park. (2023) / John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Manaea signed a very similar contract with the Giants last offseason (two-year, $25 million with an opt-out after one year). While he was expected to be a mainstay in the Giants rotation, Manaea oscillated between a starter and swingman role. He did finish the season back in the rotation on a hot streak, but his overall numbers were less impressive. He recorded a 4.44 ERA (4.18 xERA, 3.90 FIP, 4.01 xFIP), 128 strikeouts, and 42 walks in 117.2 innings pitched (37 appearances).

Unhappy with his role on the team, and confident enough in his season to earn more on the free-agent market, Manaea decided to opt out of his contract with the Giants this winter. New Giants manager Bob Melvin had managed Manaea for several previous seasons with the Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres, making it easier to envision a reunion. Instead, he will head to The Big Apple, where he currently slots into the Mets rotation behind Kodai Senga and José Quintana.

Even with his flashes, it has been a while since Manaea put together a great all-around season. In 2022, Manaea recorded a career-worst 4.96 ERA in 158 innings pitched with 156 strikeouts and 50 walks. ERA estimators did seem to suggest that Manaea suffered from some bad luck, though. His xERA (4.06), FIP (4.53), and xFIP (3.96) were all notably lower than his ERA. Over his career, Manaea has a 4.10 ERA (4.05 FIP and 4.04 xFIP) in 1002.2 innings pitched.

Despite the limited recent track record, Manaea remained one of the more intriguing arms on the market. Even at 31, he showcased some tantalizing untapped potential with the Giants last season thanks to a significant jump in his velocity. Given how effective he was at the start of his career with the A's from 2016-2021 (3.86 ERA), it's easy to see why teams remain hopeful he can be a mainstay in the rotation.

The Giants inability to re-sign Sean Manaea gives them one fewer fallback options in free agency if they are unable to ink a top free-agent arm. The Giants need to remain committed to upgrading their rotation even after acquiring Robbie Ray in a trade. The fact is both Ray and Alex Cobb will start the season on the injured list, leaving ace Logan Webb the only proven member of the rotation coming off a solid season at the moment. Even with the SF Giants depth of young pitching options, it seems clear that the team should be adding another veteran stalwart.