The New York Mets are actively pursuing Juan Soto.
As a result, they may pass up the option to sign some of their own players who have entered free agency.
Not all of the Mets’ free agents will wait around for Soto to sign. While the Mets are preoccupied with chasing Soto, they might find new teams. With Max Fried likely leaving the Braves, FanSided’s Jacob Mountz urged them to sign Sean Manaea.
Sean Manaea currently has a lifetime ERA of 4.00. He may not sound like a frontline ace on a budget, but in 2024, everything changes. Mountz said that Manaea modified his delivery to emulate Chris Sale in the second half. “Among other significant modifications, he began throwing his sinker as his primary pitch, replacing the four-seamer he used in previous years, and he altered the grip on his changeup. Manaea concluded the season with a 3.47 ERA and 184 strikeouts over 181.2 innings.
Manaea will be appealing to the Braves not for what he did in 2024, but because he should be one of the more affordable starters available during their cost-cutting efforts. Spotrac expects Mananea to sign a four-year, $71 million contract.
Losing Manaea will hurt the Mets no matter where he goes. However, losing him to the Braves would be tough as they would likely have to see him numerous times in the season.
