🔥 SURPRISE RUMORS: Could Alek Manoah Be Headed Back to the Blue Jays After Shocking Move by the Braves? — The Unexpected Twist That Has Fans and Analysts Wondering If Toronto’s Rotation Plans Are About to Get a Major Boost.

The long fall from grace took another disheartening turn this weekend for former All-Star and Cy Young Finalist Alek Manoah. Less than two months after the Atlanta Braves claimed Manoah off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays, they have now decided to cut him loose. The Braves non-tendered the enigmatic hurler, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Could a return to the Toronto Blue Jays be far behind?

The 27-year-old was making his way back from Tommy John surgery this past season, and had a decent-enough run at the top level in the minors. But the Jays unexpectedly designated Manoah for assignment in September, leading the Braves to claim him on waivers.

Manoah had a 2.97 ERA in seven rehab starts at Triple-A Buffalo late in the summer, striking out 30 batters in 33 innings. However, his velocity was down, he issued 18 walks, and some of the other underlying numbers weren’t great. But having shown the high upside of being a Top-3 Cy Young Finalist in 2022, and still at the young age of 27, it was surprising nevertheless when the Jays suddenly DFA’d him, rather than waiting to see what an another offseason in his recovery would bring.

Did the Blue Jays jump the gun in DFA’ing Manoah?

Is it possible that Toronto felt that no other team would be willing to waste a waiver claim and a roster spot on a pitcher who had hit rock bottom even before his Tommy John surgery? The organization has spent a lot of time and money on the big righty, and now that he’s free for the pickings once again, maybe they should see what another six months of building back up could reveal.

Of course, Manoah is a fiery character, and there might be too much water under the bridge at this point for him to consider a return to the Jays organization. There was the drama and pushback over a demotion to the minors in 2023, and now the sudden humiliation of a DFA.

3 other teams that could take a chance on free agent Alek Manoah

But if the Jays & Manoah are not looking at a reunion, there are some other teams out there that might make sense.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a strong track record over the years of helping pitchers reestablish themselves. As a reclamation project, the upside doesn’t get much higher than what Manoah showed in 2022, when he was the talk of baseball and the All-Star game. He finished that year with a 16-7 mark, a 2.24 ERA and 0.99 WHIP.

The World Champs also understand the importance of pitching depth, after the multitude of injuries they have faced over the last couple of years, both in the rotation and the bullpen.

The Athletics are a team that values low-cost talent. With a projected price tag of about $2.2 million for next season before the Braves cut ties with him, it doesn’t get much cheaper than that for a team looking for a low-risk, high-upside opportunity.

The Miami Marlins, like the A’s, are always looking for a bargain. And for Manoah, Homestead, Florida-born, the allure of pitching near his home might be a comfort for him as he tries to recapture his form.

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