Sean Manaea has been around the big leagues long enough to know what it takes to succeed-and what it looks like when things don’t go according to plan. For most of his career, he’s been a steady, reliable presence on the mound.
But last year? That wasn’t the version of Manaea the Mets were hoping for.
Now, heading into 2026, the left-hander has a shot at redemption-and he might just be the key to unlocking the full potential of this Mets rotation.
Let’s be clear: Manaea’s 2025 season was a rough one. He didn’t make his debut until mid-July due to injuries, and when he did get on the mound, the results weren’t pretty-posting a 5.64 ERA over just 60 2/3 innings.
But the Mets aren’t ready to write him off. In fact, some around the game see him as a potential X-factor for a staff that has the makings of something special.
At the top, the Mets have a strong 1-2 punch in Freddy Peralta and Nolan McLean. That’s a combo that can stack up with just about any in the league.
But to make a deep run, you need more than two arms. You need depth.
You need a third guy who can take the ball every fifth day and give you a real chance to win. In 2024, Manaea was exactly that guy-posting career-bests in ERA (3.47), expected ERA (3.75), and innings pitched (181 2/3).
That version of Manaea? He’d be a game-changer for this team.
So what went wrong last year? Injuries, for one.
A late start to the season can throw any pitcher out of rhythm, and Manaea never quite found his footing. But if you dig a little deeper, the underlying numbers tell a more encouraging story.
Despite the bloated ERA, Manaea actually posted a career-high strikeout rate at 28.5% and kept his walk rate down to just 4.6%. Those are strong indicators that his stuff was still playing.
The issue? The long ball.
He gave up home runs at a rate of 1.93 per nine innings-far higher than his career norm. That’s the kind of thing that can skew a stat line in a hurry, especially in a small sample size like 60 innings.
If Manaea can keep the ball in the yard and stay on the field, there’s every reason to believe he can bounce back to his 2024 form. And if he does, the Mets’ rotation suddenly looks a whole lot deeper.
Pair Manaea with fellow lefty David Peterson, and now you’ve got some balance to go along with the power righties-Peralta, McLean, and potentially Jonah Tong. It’s a group that, on paper, can compete with anyone.
But of course, that’s the caveat: on paper. Health has a way of reshaping even the most promising rotations, and the Mets know that all too well after last season’s late collapse, driven largely by a lack of reliable arms down the stretch.
That’s why Manaea’s role is so critical. He doesn’t need to be an ace-Peralta and McLean have that covered.
What the Mets need is a steady, veteran presence who can take the ball every fifth day, eat innings, and give them a shot. And when he’s right, Manaea can do exactly that.
The Mets’ success in 2026 might not hinge on just one pitcher-but if they’re going to make a serious push, they’ll need someone like Manaea to step up. If he can stay healthy and recapture that 2024 form, this rotation could go from good to dangerous in a hurry.