The New York Mets have several significant players coming off the books this winter and re-signing them could be tricky.
With Mets owner Steven Cohen preparing to open his checkbook to New York Yankees superstar Juan Soto for over $600 million, Queens is bound to lose valuable talent.
Sadly, the Mets’ rotation could be without left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea next season as an insider’s recent prediction lands him with an American League East club.
“Contract Prediction: Five years, $90 million,” Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter wrote Thursday. “After spending a significant chunk of the 2023 season pitching out of the bullpen for the San Francisco Giants en route to a 4.44 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 117.2 innings over 10 starts and 27 relief appearances, Sean Manaea settled for a one-year, $14.5 million deal with a $13.5 million player option last offseason. Declining that player option became a no-brainer after he put together a stellar 2024 campaign that included a stretch of nine quality starts in 11 outings during the second half while the Mets were chasing a playoff berth.”
Manaea logged a 12-6 record with a 3.47 ERA, 2.92-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .202 batting average against and a 1.08 WHIP in 181 2/3 innings pitched for the Mets in 2024.
“He might not reach $100 million on his next contract, but he is the best of the market’s second-tier arms and should take home a solid payday,” Reuter continued. “Predicted Landing Spot: Baltimore Orioles.”
Given Baltimore’s predicament with 2021 National League Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes being the most coveted free-agent starting pitcher, the Orioles should consider signing another proven arm in case they fail to retain their ace.
Although Manaea wouldn’t be a Burnes replacement, he’d be a solid addition to the Orioles’ rotation.
