Report: Pitcher Sean Manaea will sign a three-year, $75 million contract to return to the Mets

NEW YORK – Sean Manaea will return to the New York Mets on a three-year, $75 million contract, according to a person familiar with the agreement.

Manaea emerged as New York’s best starter this year in his first season with the team, posting a 12-6 record with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts. The left-hander declined his 2025 player option and forwent the final $13.5 million of a two-year, $28 million contract he signed in January to become a free agent for the third consecutive season.

Then last month he turned down a $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Mets to hit the open market again.

Reuniting with Manaea, who turns 33 on February 1, gives New York a much-needed frontline starter to complete its reconstructed rotation. After signing slugger Juan Soto to a record 15-year, $765 million contract, owner Steve Cohen committed $916.25 million to five free agents this offseason – four of whom are starters.

The club also signed right-handed rookies Frankie Montas (two years, $34 million), Clay Holmes (three years, $38 million) and Griffin Canning (one year, $4.25 million). Holmes, a two-time All-Star as a closer for the New York Yankees, plans to move from reliever to starter.

Manaea struck out 184 batters this year and walked 63 in a career-high 181 2/3 innings. Midway through the season, he lowered his arm slot to emulate another nasty left-hander, NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves, and finished with a 6-2 record and a 3.09 ERA in his final New York’s most effective starter throughout 12 regular season outings.

During the playoffs, Manaea went 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA in four starts and 19 innings, giving the Mets a surprising berth in the National League Championship Series.

A trio of experienced starters then became free agents: Manaea, Luis Severino and Jose Quintana. Severino signed a three-year, $67 million contract with the Athletics.

Manaea’s contract matches the three-year, $75 million deal free agent right-hander Nathan Eovaldi received to remain with the Texas Rangers. Eovaldi will turn 35 in February.

Manaea, Montas and Holmes are expected to be in a planned 2025 rotation that also includes incumbents Kodai Senga and David Peterson. Canning, Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn and Jose Buttó are among the candidates who could help complete the group.

A nine-year major league veteran, Manaea has a 77-62 record with a 4.00 ERA in 198 starts and 30 relief appearances with Oakland (2016-21), San Diego (2022), San Francisco (2023) and the Mets . In April 2018, he pitched a no-hitter for the A’s against Boston.

Manaea was selected 34th overall by the Kansas City Royals in the 2013 amateur draft out of Indiana State.