**PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.
** - The Mets find themselves in a bit of a conundrum as Spring Training wraps up, thanks to their impressive rotation depth and health. It's a good problem to have, but it’s left Sean Manaea in a tough spot.
As things stand, Manaea will start the season in the bullpen, at least for the first couple of rotation cycles. The Mets are taking advantage of off-days to keep their main starters on a regular schedule.
Looking ahead to mid-April, the Mets plan to shift to a six-man rotation, which should open up a spot for Manaea-assuming he’s performing well enough to step back into a starting role.
Manaea, after hearing the news from manager Carlos Mendoza, expressed his frustration but remained focused. “I consider myself a starter,” he said, acknowledging the challenge but determined to prove himself in whatever role he plays.
The team’s strategy to eventually move to a six-man rotation makes sense given their schedule, which is dotted with off-days early on. This allows their five main starters to stay on regular rest, with the exception of Opening Day starter Freddy Peralta, who will get a little extra downtime.
April 12 marks the first time the Mets will truly need a sixth starter. While Manaea is the likely candidate, Mendoza hasn’t fully committed, saying only that “he’s going to start for us” at some point. Until then, Manaea will work out of the bullpen, possibly piggybacking off another starter to keep stretched out or stepping into high-leverage situations as needed.
Should Manaea struggle in this bullpen role, the Mets have other options waiting in the wings, like Tobias Myers, Christian Scott, or Jonah Tong. Manaea’s spring performance has been solid, with a 3.72 ERA over three Grapefruit League starts, but his fastball velocity is down, averaging 88.6 mph. That’s a noticeable drop from his last healthy spring in 2024 and even from last season post-injury.
Mendoza was clear that velocity wasn’t the deciding factor in moving Manaea to the bullpen. “Six guys throwing the ball pretty well,” he explained, emphasizing the tough decisions that come with a healthy roster.
Adding to the complexity is Manaea’s contract situation. With two years and $50 million left, trading him would be challenging unless the Mets were willing to absorb a significant portion of his salary. Given Manaea’s potential, as shown by his strong finish in 2024 with a 3.02 ERA over his last 18 starts, the Mets are hopeful he can regain that form.
For now, Manaea is set to contribute from the bullpen, with an eye on increasing his velocity and reclaiming a starting spot. Having been through a similar situation with the Giants in 2023, Manaea is no stranger to adapting. While disappointed, he’s ready to make the most of his opportunity and help the team however he can.