The New York Mets will focus on various areas to improve the roster on the way to a 2025 season with high expectations. For the second consecutive offseason, the area that needs the most attention is the team’s starting rotation, with the departure of Luis Severino, Jose Quintana, and Sean Manaea.
Manaea is probably the most valuable pitcher this season among the free agents who were with the team last season after the improvement in his delivery after changing his launch angle towards a crossfire throw style similar to that of Chris Sale. After a solid second half of the 2024 season, the Mets would have to go a little far to retain the left-handed pitcher in the short term.
The Mets would have to go up to a fourth guaranteed year to sign Manaea.
Among the industry, it is expected that a reasonable contract for Manaea would be for three guaranteed seasons and some vesting or mutual option for a fourth year. This means that to entertain the interests of the left-handed pitcher the Mets would have to go for a contract that guarantees that fourth season.
Manaea’s case is complicated and interesting at the same time. On the one hand, Manaea has the disadvantage that he turns 33 in 2025, so a long contract comes with risks. He has a qualified offer tied to his profile, which limits the interest of teams because they can lose a draft pick for signing him, and finally, an inconsistent track record.
Scott Boras is the awkward uncle of his family. His awful puns in the offseason make him a little more human than the reputation he gets as a ruthless agent. The representative of several key New York Mets free agents and a few other targets, we’re going to hear from him plenty in the coming months as he helps spread more MLB rumors in the hot stove season.
Boras had something to say about Yusei Kikuchi, an intriguing free agent whose talents haven’t always translated well into the box score. Traded midseason by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Houston Astros, the qualifying offer wasn’t an option. As a result, Boras claims he is becoming very popular
.
