The Mets are expected to sign Sean Manaea to a $75 million deal

After the New York Mets signed Juan Soto to a record 15-year, $765 million deal earlier this offseason, all attention turned to the starting pitching rotation in Queens.

New York had done a good job of turning rejected starting pitchers into big league caliber pitchers again, but could it see the same magic work in 2025?

Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer recently predicted The Mets would re-sign starting pitcher Sean Manaea to a $75 million deal. Manaea was one of those breakout stars mentioned above.

“Manaea went from having a good season to a great season, ultimately posting a 3.09 ERA with a 4.6 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last 12 starts,” Rymer wrote. “When he was only in 54th percentile for the scent rate, Manaea is not on Sale’s level when it comes to overpowering. Nevertheless, he represents a solid effort to age well because of how he can beat hitters through sheer variety.

“He has six pitches, and his new delivery makes it that much harder for hitters to track the ball. If Yusei Kikuchi can get three years, $63 million in this market, Manaea should have at least that much.”

A reunion here makes a lot of sense. The Mets and Manaea saw great success with each other last season, and New York has the money to bring him back. If he wants to win and get paid, Queens is the place to be.

The only way this doesn’t happen is if there is a smaller market team like the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Guardians or Los Angeles Angels willing to pay well above market value for Manaea. If not, he remains a Met.

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