The New York Mets are working to replicate the starting pitching success they had last season. They relied on reclamation projects like Luis Severino and Sean Manaea, both of whom blossomed into key contributors. However, their standout performances have likely priced them out of New York. Severino has already signed a three-year contract with the Athletics, and Manaea may be leaving as well. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report recently predicted Manaea’s departure from the Mets, suggesting he could sign with the Baltimore Orioles for a $72 million deal.
Miller noted that if Manaea, who will soon turn 33, can maintain his performance for a few more years, he could be a tremendous value at either a three-year, $60 million deal or a four-year, $72 million contract. Miller proposed that, while Baltimore might not be able to afford Corbin Burnes’ potential $200 million-plus contract, signing Manaea to pair with Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez atop the Orioles’ rotation would be a wise move.
The Orioles clearly need a top-tier pitcher. While Burnes is likely out of their price range, a player like Manaea offers an affordable option, though with some risk. Manaea had ERAs of 4.44 in 2023 and 4.96 in 2022, which is a much lower ceiling than Burnes. However, for a fraction of the cost, Manaea could still be a solid addition to Baltimore’s rotation, which desperately needs a front-line starter.
