New York Mets

Sean Manaea is returning to the New York Mets for another three years.

Manaea and the Mets have agreed on a three-year, $75 million deal in free agency, Jeff Passan reported for ESPN.

He had previously declined a $13.5 million player option and $21.05 million qualifying offer and will now rejoin Kodai Senga at the top of the Mets' rotation.

Here's a look at what the Mets' starting pitching depth looks like after the trade.

Mets projected 2025 starting rotation

1. Kodai Senga
   
2. Sean Manaea
3. David Peterson
4. Frankie Montas
5. Clay Holmes
6. Paul Blackburn/Tylor Megill/Griffin Canning

The Mets had $211 million currently allocated toward the 2025 payroll and a projected payroll of $239 million prior to the signing, according to Spotrac.

Depending on how Manaea's salary is distributed, the Mets' latest addition could move them to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers ($227 million in current payroll allocations) for the third-highest payroll in the MLB next season.

Per Will Sammon of The Athletic, Manaea's deal includes $23.25 million in deferrals:

The Mets are bringing back Senga, who missed almost the entirety of the 2024 season with shoulder and calf injuries, to lead the rotation alongside Manaea.

The team has already bolstered the rotation with the additions of Clay Holmes, a career bullpen pitcher who is expected to transition into the rotation in Queens, and Frankie Montas, who is hoping for a bounce-back campaign after his numbers dipped last season following a missed 2023 campaign.

The Mets also added Griffin Canning on a one-year deal to complete with Blackburn and Megill at the bottom of the rotation.

The franchise might not be done working on building this starting pitching depth after losing Luis Severino, who signed with the Athletics in free agency. Jose Quintana also could be set to sign elsewhere in free agency.

The New York Yankees and Mets both met with Japanese star free agent Rōki Sasaki last Friday, according to Jon Heyman and Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post.

Sasaki is expected to slot in as a starter in the MLB after posting a 2.10 career ERA in four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball. He is also subject to international free agent restrictions that will keep his max potential offer to around $12 million, making him a highly-sought after target this offseason.

If the Mets are able to win Sasaki over, he could potentially slot in with Senga at the top of the order, with Manaea at No. 3 and Peterson, Montas and Holmes rounding out the rotation.

Should Sasaki head to Queens, the Mets could continue spoiling their cross-town rivals' offseason plans after also flipping star outfielder Juan Soto from the Yankees to the Mets in free agency.

Starting pitcher Sean Manaea is returning for a second season with the New York Mets.

Manaea agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract to rejoin the Mets, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Will Sammon of The Athletic reported the deal includes $23.25 million in deferrals:

Manaea joined the Mets last winter on a two-year, $28 million pact that included an option for 2025. After opting out, he declined a $21.05 million qualifying offer in order to test free agency after recording a 3.47 ERA through 32 starts in New York.

His best stretch of the season started in late July, when Manaea worked on lowering his arm slot in an effort to imitate the style of Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Over his final 12 starts of the season since adjusting his arm angle, Manaea recorded a 3.09 ERA while marking 83 strikeouts to 18 walks.

That improvement helped Manaea earn four postseason starts, including a Game 3 NLDS win over the Philadelphia Phillies and Game 2 NLCS victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was also the pitcher of record in the Mets' Game 6 elimination by the eventual World Series champion Dodgers.

This will mark the third time Manaea has changed teams in the three seasons since he was traded from the Oakland Athletics to the San Diego Padres in 2022.

The starter signed with the San Francisco Giants ahead of the 2023 season, then opted out of the second year of his contract to join the Mets in 2024.

Re-signing him gives the Mets some certainty in their rotation after they watched Luis Severino head to the West Coast and sign with the Athletics. Manaea is now set to slot back in the top of the Mets' rotation alongside Kodai Senga.

The signing also ensures that Manaea doesn't go to a cross-city rival, as the New York Yankees reportedly checked in on the southpaw, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Between retaining Manaea and poaching Juan Soto, it has been a great offseason for the Mets in terms of getting one over on the Bronx Bombers.

Japanese ace Rōki Sasaki met with the New York Mets on Thursday as he navigates through free agency, according to SNY's Andy Martino.

Sasaki is joining the majors as an international amateur free agent following a stellar overseas career with Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' interest in signing the pitcher has been widely reported, and New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed on Dec. 11 that his team has been preparing for a meeting with the 23-year-old.

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt also expressed optimism surrounding the team's ability to sign Sasaki.

Due to his age, the cost of his future contract will only consist of international bonus pool money since he falls under MLB's amateur rules for free agency. Whichever team signs Sasaki would have him under control for six years of service time before he would be eligible for unrestricted free agency (h/t MLB.com's Bryan Hoch).

Sasaki was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines at the start of winter meetings on Dec. 9, meaning that his signing window will expire on Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. ET.

He was a two-time All-Star during his four seasons in NPB, finishing with a 29-15 record to go along with a 2.10 ERA and 0.894 WHIP. Sasaki is known for his fastball and splitter, striking out 505 batters while allowing 88 walks in 394.2 innings of work.

In addition to signing superstar Juan Soto, the Mets have focused on their rotation in free agency. New York signed right-hander Frankie Montas on Dec. 1 and agreed to terms with reliever Clay Holmes, announcing plans for him to transition into a starting role.

The Mets are also reportedly interested in a free agency reunion with former starter Sean Manaea.

As New York looks to build its rotation behind All-Star Kodai Senga, Sasaki would provide a major boost to the team following a National League Championship Series appearance.

The outfielder trade market appears to be hot.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that several players, including New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte and San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski.

"For teams in search of an outfield bat, the Mets' Starling Marte, Cleveland's Lane Thomas, San Francisco's Mike Yastrzemski and the Los Angeles Angels' Taylor Ward are there to be had," Passan said. "Other options include Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor -- whose availability, along with that of San Francisco's LaMonte Wade Jr. and Texas' Nathaniel Lowe, further muddies a crowded first-base free agent market -- Angels utilityman Luis Rengifo and Minnesota catcher Christian Vazquez."

Marte hit .269/.327/.388 with seven home runs and 40 RBIs in 94 games in 2024. The addition of Juan Soto to the outfield does make Marte more expendable and he could be an intriguing bat to add to several teams in search of some right-handed hitters.

Yastrzemski hit .231/.302/.437 with 18 home runs and 57 RBIs in 140 games in 2024. The 34-year-old is a strong left-handed hitter option and has played all three outfield positions for the Giants.

Other options like Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas and Angels outfielder Taylor Ward could be solid trade options as well for team's looking to add a bat without paying a premium on the open market.

Star slugger Pete Alonso is one of the best power hitters remaining on the open market, but teams across MLB aren't in a rush to sign him.

ESPN's Jeff Passan explained the delay in Alonso's free agency, reporting, "Teams are hesitant to give him a long-term deal."

After starring at first base for the New York Mets for the past six years, Alonso established himself as one of the most consistent long-ball hitters in the majors with an average of 42 home runs and 110 RBIs in his five full big league seasons, per Passan.

However, Passan also noted that Alonso's profile as a 30-year-old, right-handed-hitting and -throwing first baseman "frightens teams." Still, there are some who "see great value in adding him for the next few years."

While the New York Yankees were named as a team that could "enter the fray more aggressively," a reunion with the Mets also wasn't ruled out by Passan.

The Mets already made the biggest move of the offseason by signing star outfielder Juan Soto to a historic 15-year deal that could exceed $800 million. Bringing Alonso back would add another power bat to the lineup and make the Mets even more dangerous as they chase a World Series title in 2025.

The New York Mets are adding to their rotation amid a successful offseason so far.

Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, free-agent right-hander Griffin Canning agreed to a one-year, $4.25M contract with the Mets. The deal, which is pending a physical, includes $1 million in potential bonuses.

Canning, a second-round draft pick in the 2017 MLB draft, made his major-league debut for the Los Angeles Angels in 2019. In 2020, he recorded a career-best 3.99 ERA in 11 starts and earned a Gold Glove Award before spending much of the 2021 season in Triple-A.

He missed the entirety of the 2022 season due to a stress fracture in his back and setbacks in his recovery from the injury.

Canning returned to the mound in 2023, recording a 4.32 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 24 appearances. Last season, he had a 5.19 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, starting 31 games for the Angels.

Following the end of the regular season, the Angels dealt Canning to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Jorge Soler. In November, the Braves non-tendered Canning, making him a free agent and paving the way for him to sign with New York.

Canning won't be sent to the minor leagues without his consent because of his five years of service and will have the chance to compete for a spot in the rotation.

The Mets have been active in adding pitching this offseason, signing Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million deal and inking Clay Holmes to a three-year, $38 million contract. Per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, New York plans to convert the former Yankees reliever to a starter.

The Mets, who reached the NLCS last season, made a splash this offseason by signing Juan Soto to a historic 15-year, $765 million deal. Now they're looking to bolster the roster further as they attempt to make a World Series run in 2025.

Who says baseball rivalries can't extend to the basketball court?

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart was fired up when the New York Yankees reportedly acquired Cody Bellinger on Tuesday, which drew a response from New York Mets fan and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell:

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Tuesday the Yankees landed Bellinger and cash from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for relief pitcher Cody Poteet.

While Bellinger gives the Bronx Bombers a proven bat for their lineup with a resume that includes a National League Rookie of the Year and NL MVP, it still isn't realistic to expect him to replicate the lost production of Juan Soto.

That is because Soto is one of the best players in the entire league and, at just 26 years old, should continue to put up peak production for seasons to come.

That is welcome news for the Mets, who signed the five-time Silver Slugger to a record 15-year, $765 million contract this offseason. It was a franchise-altering move and gave their fans some bragging rights inside the city since Soto decided not to return to the Yankees.

And Mitchell took full advantage of those bragging rights Tuesday.

The New York Mets, having bolstered their outfield with the addition of Juan Soto, could now look to improve their infield by pursuing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman.

The Mets are one of the MLB clubs with "varying degrees" of interest in Bregman, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays are also in the mix for the former Houston Astro, Feinsand reported.

Bregman earned his first Gold Glove Award last season after leading AL third basemen with a .972 fielding percentage in 142 games.

He meanwhile slashed .260/.315/.453 with 26 home runs and 75 RBI.

Bregman also has multiple playoff runs on his resume after contributing to the Astros' World Series championship runs in both 2017 and 2022.

The Mets could be in need of an addition to their infield if first baseman Pete Alonso leaves Queens in free agency.

Mets owner Steve Cohen said during Soto's introductory press conference last week that the club remained "engaged" in talks with Alonso. However, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported on Tuesday that the New York Yankees are also "engaged in talks" with the veteran first baseman.

The Mets could fill in a potential gap at first base by sliding Mark Vientos from third to first base, given that Vientos played both positions at the Triple-A level.

Brett Baty could then theoretically step in for Vientos at third base, although Mike Puma recently reported for the New York Post that the Mets are receiving calls from other teams interested in the 22-year-old.

Should Alonso walk, and the Mets accept a trade offer for Baty, Bregman could help New York shore up their defense at the hot corner as they prepare to load up for a potential title run in 2025.

The Astros have offered Bregman approximately a six-year, $156 million deal to return to Houston in free agency, per MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Cohen, who has already flexed the franchise's spending abilities with Soto's record contract, could potentially outbid that offer should the Mets decide to target an addition at third base.

Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz is known for his fun-loving personality, so it's not a surprise that he took the opportunity to jab at the rival New York Yankees.

When former Yankees outfielder Juan Soto posted a photo on Instagram celebrating his signing with the New York Mets, Ortiz commented, "The....... Yankees lose" with a few laughing emojis:

Ortiz recently revealed that he spoke to Soto on behalf of the Red Sox during his free agency before he chose to sign with the Mets on a historic 15-year, $765 million contract that can exceed $800 million.

"We wanted him in Boston," Ortiz said during an appearance on the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast. "Unfortunately, it didn't work out"

As part of his pitch to Soto, Ortiz said, "If he signs with this organization, which is an amazing organization, he can balance the clubhouse in a way that I did. He's gonna have Coach Papi in his corner."

However, like the Yankees, the Red Sox also lost out on the chance to add the 26-year-old. The Yankees offered him a 16-year deal worth $760 million. The Mets made Soto the highest-paid player in professional sports history, which was understandably an offer that was hard to turn down.

"It's great," Ortiz said of Soto's deal. "It's well deserved, what he got, and we're gonna continue cheering for him. He's a great kid. You guys are gonna enjoy Soto for a while here."

Despite failing to retain Soto, the Yankees pivoted with a few solid moves by signing starting pitcher Max Fried and acquiring closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers.

The teams will continue competing for the top free agents remaining on the market as they try to retool for the playoff race in 2025.