Sean Manaea fought back tears as he faced the media, possibly for the last time as a member of the New York Mets. His eyes were red and watery after emotional goodbyes with teammates in the clubhouse, where players offered words of support.
“I’m just super proud of everything we accomplished, everyone here,” Manaea said, his voice cracking with emotion. “There’s no other group I’d want to do it with. These boys grinded all year, and it’s sports—it is what it is.”
Manaea now faces the decision of where he’ll play next season. He signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Mets last winter, but with a player option for next year, he’s expected to explore other opportunities following a strong season.
Reflecting on his future with the Mets, Manaea shared, “I don’t have control over that right now, and I’m not even thinking about it. But I’ve loved my time here. I love New York, the organization, and the people, so I’d love to be back.”
The Mets’ season ended in a Game 6 loss to the Dodgers in the National League Wild Card Series. Manaea, starting that game, struggled, allowing five runs in just two innings, his shortest outing of the season.
However, this performance doesn’t overshadow his overall success with the Mets. After posting a 3.74 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and 101 strikeouts over his first 20 starts, Manaea made an adjustment midseason, changing his arm slot to mirror Chris Sale. The change paid off, as Manaea posted a 2.63 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts over his final 11 games.
When asked how this season ranks in his nine-year career, Manaea confidently responded, “Definitely the best one of my career.”
“I’m incredibly proud of the work I’ve put in here, on and off the field,” he added. “And I’m just super proud of this year as a whole.”
As Manaea considers his future, the Mets and their fans may be saying goodbye to one of their most reliable arms.
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