Left-hander Sean Manaea has signed two-year deals with opt-out provisions in each of the past two offseasons and is poised to reenter the market for a third straight winter. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Manaea is expected to opt out of the second year and $13.5MM on his deal. He spoke to Nightengale about his short-term deals, expressing that he enjoys the adventure of the uncertainty that comes with them.
Despite being 33 in February, Manaea is having one of his best seasons with the Mets. He has started 27 games, pitching 150 1/3 innings with a 3.35 ERA, 25% strikeout rate, and 8.8% walk rate. Manaea has changed his pitch selection this season, relying more on his sinker and slider. His performance has been effective, with solid numbers in various categories.
Manaea has shown himself to be capable of having a strong season like this in the past. Despite some injury setbacks, he has been a reliable source of innings since the 2018 season. He has not been on the injured list since returning from shoulder surgery and has pitched consistently for the Giants.
Considering his performance this season, Manaea is likely to explore free agency once again. He may secure a multi-year deal this time, with a three-year contract being a reasonable expectation. The Mets could offer him a qualifying offer, but the financial implications for them could be significant given their current payroll situation.
If the Mets decide to extend a qualifying offer to Manaea, they would need to consider the potential luxury tax implications. With multiple players hitting free agency, including Manaea, the Mets will have to make careful financial decisions to avoid exceeding the luxury tax threshold. The possible tax bill for a qualifying offer to Manaea could be substantial, leading the Mets to carefully weigh their options.
Overall, Manaea’s strong performance this season puts him in a good position as he approaches free agency. The potential qualifying offer from the Mets adds an interesting twist to his upcoming decisions, and the financial considerations will play a significant role in shaping his free-agent path.
