NEW YORK — A source close to the deal tells The Associated Press that Sean Manaea will rejoin the New York Mets on a three-year, $75 million deal.
Because the arrangement was contingent on a successful physical, the individual talked to the AP on condition of anonymity on Monday.
This year, in his first season with the Yankees, Manaea emerged as New York’s best starting pitcher, going 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts. In order to become a free agent for the third consecutive offseason, the left-hander passed up the last $13.5 million of a $28-million, two-year contract he signed in January and declined his player option for 2025.
Then, last month, he rejected a qualifying offer of $21.05 million from the Mets to return to the open market.
In order to finish its rebuilt rotation, New York will have a much-needed frontline starter thanks to the reunion with Manaea, who turns 33 on February 1. Owner Steve Cohen has committed $916.25 million to five free agents this offseason, four of whom are starting pitchers, after inking slugger Juan Soto to a record $765 million, 15-year contract.
Additionally, the team signed right-handed rookies Griffin Canning ($4.25 million, one year), Clay Holmes ($38 million, three years), and Frankie Montas ($34 million, two years). The two-time all-star closer for the New York Yankees, Holmes, intends to switch from being a reliever to a starter.
This season, Manaea pitched a career-high 181 2/3 innings, striking out 184 batters and walking 63. With a 6-2 record and 3.09 ERA in his final 12 regular-season appearances, he became New York’s most productive starter in the closing stages of the season by lowering his arm slot in midseason to mimic another nasty left-hander, Atlanta Braves NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale.
In four starts spanning 19 innings during the playoffs, Manaea went 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA, helping the Mets make an unexpected run to the National League Championship Series.
Then, Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana—three seasoned starters—were free agents. Severino agreed to a three-year, $67 million deal with the Athletics.