Manaea opts out of Mets deal to become free agent for third straight offseason, AP source says

NEW YORK (AP) — Left-hander Sean Manaea declined his $13.5 million option for 2025 with the New York Mets on Saturday to become a free agent for the third consecutive offseason, a person familiar with his decision said Saturday.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not made the announcement.

Manaea agreed to a contract in January that included a $14.5 million salary for 2024 and the 32-year-old went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts, striking out 184 and walking 63 in 181 2/3 innings.

After dropping his arm slot in midseason, he became the Mets most effective starting pitcher and went 6-2 with a 3.09 ERA in his final 12 starts. Manaea was 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA in four postseason starts.

He opted out of the final season of a $25 million, two-year contract with San Francisco last November, giving up a $12.5 million salary for 2024. He went 7-6 with a 4.44 ERA in his only season with the Giants.

A nine-year major league veteran, Manaea is 77-62 with a 4.00 ERA in 198 starts and 30 relief appearances with Oakland (2016-21), San Diego (2022), the Giants and Mets.

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Ronald Blum, The Associated Press