The New York Mets have made a big move to bolster their rotation, signing left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea to a one-year deal, according to an Associated Press source. Manaea, who was an All-Star in 2018, will join a rotation that already includes Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, and Noah Syndergaard.
Manaea, 28, was an All-Star with the Oakland Athletics in 2018, when he went 12-9 with a 3.59 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 29 starts. He missed the entire 2019 season after undergoing shoulder surgery, but he returned in 2020 and went 4-3 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in nine starts.
The Mets are hoping that Manaea will be able to stay healthy and return to his All-Star form in 2021. He has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation starter, and he could be a key piece in the Mets’ quest for a World Series title.
Manaea joins a rotation that already includes deGrom, Stroman, and Syndergaard. DeGrom is a two-time Cy Young Award winner and is widely considered to be the best pitcher in baseball. Stroman is coming off a strong 2020 season in which he went 2-2 with a 2.91 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in seven starts. Syndergaard is also coming off a strong 2020 season in which he went 4-2 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 11 starts.
The Mets are clearly hoping that Manaea can help them get over the hump and win their first World Series since 1986. With Manaea joining an already strong rotation, the Mets could be poised to make a deep run in 2021.
