Sean Manaea, SP

Position: SP

Bats/Throws: L/L

Age: 34 (02/01/1992)

2026 Traditional Stats: 23 G, 9 GS, 91.2 IP, 4.42 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 88 SO, 30 BB

2026 Advanced Stats: 88 ERA+, 21.9 K%, 7.5% BB%, 4.43 xERA, 4.34 FIP, 4.26 xFIP, 0.1 bWAR, 0.6 fWAR

Contract Status: Under contract through 2027, $25 million in 2026 and 2027 ($22 million net present value after deferrals)

Rundown

Sean Manaea had a terrible start to the season. He did not do his normal offseason program on the recommendation of the team to stay healthy, but this led him to show up to spring training struggling to reach 90 miles per hour. He was unceremoniously demoted to the bullpen to start the season with a 6.55 ERA in April, but by May his velocity returned, and a few weeks later he forced his way into the rotation.

Since his velocity returned, he has pitched to a 3.63 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with a 21.8% strikeout rate and a 6.8% walk rate. Manaea looks like a third or fourth starter and has been getting better each outing. His longest outing came against the Royals he pitched seven innings, striking out six, and giving up only two earned runs. In all of his last four starts, he has completed six innings, and in six of his nine total starts, he has pitched more than five.

This version of Manaea can help a contending team. He has stated many times that the Mets pitching coaches diagnosed what happened with his velocity, and he has a plan to ensure that does not happen again. If a team determines his velocity will not be an issue the remainder of this year or next, Sean is a valuable asset. For that reason, the Mets may also want to keep him, as at this exact moment their 2027 pitching plan is unclear. But moving him would also take some risk off the Mets’ plate for next year when they already have plenty of question marks. With the money owed, it may also be easier to move him in the offseason than at the deadline.

POTENTIAL LANDING SPOTS

Manaea’s trade value really depends on how teams view him going forward. It also depends on whether or not the Mets are willing to eat part of his deal. Some potential trade comparisons are:

In both of these trades, the team ate some money to move the player and improve their prospect return. A high-upside pitcher from the middle of a team’s top 30 prospects and a middle reliever under 2027 control may be the package that would make sense for both sides. One of the biggest assets for the Mets would be freeing up the roster spot and money for 2027.

Another thing to note is that the Mets may be able to get more moving Sean in the offseason if he continues pitching well through the remainder of the 2026 season. He will also be owed less money then.

1. Chicago Cubs

A low-velocity starter with a good sweeper, you say; where have I heard that before? The Cubs already traded for one Mets left-handed pitcher; why not another? The cost in terms of prospect capital would not likely be as expensive as Freddy Peralta or Clay Holmes would be, but maybe a return of something like RHP Dominick Reid and Reliever Tyler Ferguson.

2. Athletics

Would the Athletics like a reunion? Would Luis Severino like one as well? The Athletics have struggled to get established pitchers to come willingly to pitch in their park in Sacramento, so their best way to get quality arms may be via trade. They may also need to replace Severino’s dollars if he opts out due to the league’s revenue sharing and payroll rules. Maybe they could swing a trade sending back righty Jackson Finley and reliever Justin Sterner.

3. White Sox

The White Sox have been the big surprise this year as a contender for the American League playoffs, but it is still anyone’s race. Their biggest need is pitching, and they could use a veteran on the staff working with their younger arms. A trade that makes sense could involve righty Pierce George and reliever Chris Murphy.