Fresh off an American League championship and a World Series appearance, the Yankees seem to be sitting pretty this offseason. But under the surface, there’s a lot to address to keep their championship hopes alive in 2025. Juan Soto’s return remains priority number one, but the Yankees have other pressing needs. Rebuilding the bullpen and potentially adding depth to their rotation are key tasks. With Gerrit Cole on the books through his blocked opt-out, the Yankees have stability at the top. Still, given Cole’s age (34) and last season’s arm injury, it wouldn’t hurt to secure another top starter to relieve some pressure.
Blake Snell, Corbin Burnes, and Max Fried are the obvious targets, each bringing undeniable talent. But New York Post insider Jon Heyman has floated an intriguing name for the Yankees: Sean Manaea, a man closer to home who just wrapped up a career year with the Mets. Manaea, known for bouncing around four different teams in the past four years, recorded an impressive 12-6 season with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.084 WHIP, catching the eye of several teams, including the Yankees.
Heyman confirmed the Yankees’ interest, mentioning that the Bronx Bombers have “checked in” on Snell, Burnes, and Fried. No surprises there. But the addition of Manaea to their radar is a curious twist, especially given his anticipated price tag. Manaea is likely to turn down the Mets’ $21.05 million qualifying offer, looking for a more lucrative, multi-year deal. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel projects a four-year, $86 million contract for the southpaw, factoring in the adjustments Manaea made last season.
Manaea’s transformation wasn’t by chance. In 2024, he altered his mechanics, lowering his arm slot and shifting to the extreme first-base side of the mound to make his sinker more effective. This adjustment helped him achieve a career-best year and finally live up to his potential as a 2013 first-round pick. It’s these changes that analysts believe could make his performance sustainable, calming concerns that his breakthrough year might be a fluke.
McDaniel notes, “Manaea is older than the starting pitchers ahead of him, but something happened in 2024 to help him finally break through…he looked like a No. 2 starter after his adjustments, so I think he will get four or five years at a roughly $20 million per year rate.”
For the Yankees, it’s a tempting offer. Manaea could provide the additional rotation strength they need at a potentially lower cost than Snell, Burnes, or Fried. But it’s a gamble. If Manaea’s improvements hold up, he could be a valuable addition in the Yankees’ pursuit of a title. If not, it could be an expensive setback.
As the Yankees enter the offseason, one question looms: will they roll the dice on Manaea, betting on his adjustments to pay off? Or will they stick with a sure thing among the higher-profile aces?
