The New York Mets are facing an intriguing situation with their starting rotation as they move into the 2025 season. In 2024, the rotation was built on short-term contracts, and while it performed well, it is now set for a major overhaul. The top three playoff starters from the previous year have all become free agents, with Luis Severino already signing with another team. To fill the void, the Mets have signed Clay Holmes, Frankie Montas, and Griffin Canning as potential rotation options.
Of the Mets’ free-agent pitchers, Sean Manaea was arguably the most impressive in 2024. He posted the best ERA (3.47) among New York’s regular-season starters and continued his strong performance in the playoffs, delivering excellent outings against teams like the Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers. This performance has led many to believe that Manaea could return to the Mets for the 2025 season.
Baseball writer Zachary D. Rymer speculates that the Mets will offer Manaea a three-year, $75 million contract, extending through his age-35 season. Rymer believes Manaea’s ability to thrive through pitch variation, with his six-pitch arsenal and a new delivery that makes it difficult for hitters to track the ball, will help him continue to perform well in the coming years. Rymer also notes that if other pitchers like Yusei Kikuchi can secure contracts worth $63 million over three years, Manaea’s market value should be at least as high.
Manaea’s adjustment to his arm slot, which mimicked the delivery of Chris Sale, has significantly improved his swing-and-miss rate, a promising sign for his future performance. If he can maintain this level of success in 2025 and beyond, he would be well worth a $75 million investment. However, there is some risk associated with the deal, as Manaea had two rough seasons in the National League West before joining the Mets on a “pillow contract.” The key question now is whether the improvements he made last season will be sustainable over the length of his next contract.
In summary, the Mets are in a pivotal moment as they look to reshape their starting rotation. While Manaea’s performance in 2024 certainly makes him an attractive option to re-sign, the team must weigh the risks and rewards of committing a significant amount of money to a pitcher who has shown flashes of brilliance but also struggled in the past. If the Mets believe Manaea’s changes are permanent, a $75 million deal could be a smart move to bolster their rotation for the upcoming seasons.
