Manaea allowed two hits and three walks over four scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran southpaw built up to 61 pitches (35 strikes) in an impressive performance that saw him count Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras (twice) among his Ks. Saturday's free passes were also his first of the spring, and Manaea has an 8:3 K:BB through 6.2 innings. After signing a two-year, $28 million contract with the Mets in January, he's being counted on to provide some stability in the rotation, but Manaea has some things to prove after posting a 4.73 ERA in 275.2 innings over the last two seasons between the Padres and Giants.

Manaea gave up three runs on seven hits over 2.2 innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He struck out three without walking a batter and threw a wild pitch.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran lefty got in plenty of work in his first game action of the spring, tossing 41 of 56 pitches for strikes, but the results were something of a mixed bag. Manaea did at least keep the ball in the park, although Jazz Chisholm, Avisail Garcia and Jon Berti all laced doubles off him. Manaea is locked into a rotation spot for the Mets this season after making only 10 starts for the Giants in 2023 among his 37 appearances, but New York is counting on him to show the form he flashed in the second half for San Francisco -- over his final 51.2 innings last year, he posted a 2.61 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 48:15 K:BB.

Manaea worked on his changeup this offseason and also plans to incorporate a cutter into his arsenal, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

After a disastrous 2022 campaign with the Padres, Manaea went to Driveline two winters ago and emerged with more velocity -- he posted a career-high 93.6 mph average fastball last year with the Giants -- and a sweeper he began using in games in late May to complement his slider and change. The 32-year-old southpaw didn't get complacent this offseason, heading back to Driveline to refine his pitch mix further. Manaea was a strong fantasy asset as recently as 2021 with the A's, posting a 3.91 ERA and striking out 194 batters in 179.1 innings, and he's at least put in the work to try and regain that form.

Manaea agreed to a two-year, $28 million contract with the Mets on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

After declining his $12.5 million player option for 2024 and becoming a free agent earlier in the offseason, Manaea will get a slight pay increase while he heads to New York on a two-year pact. Much like the deal he signed with the Giants last offseason, Manaea's contract with the Mets contains an opt-out after the 2024 season, per Heyman. The southpaw started in 10 of his 37 appearances in 2023 and finished with a 4.44 ERA across 117.2 innings, but he closed the season in strong fashion, posting a 2.87 ERA from the beginning of August onward. The 31-year-old will presumably occupy a spot at the back end of the Mets' rotation.

Manaea exercised the opt-out clause in his contract Monday and will become a free agent, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea would have been due a $12.5 million salary for 2024, but the left-hander has decided to look for a bigger deal on the open market. The 31-year-old had an up-and-down 2023 season, holding a 4.44 ERA and 128:42 K:BB over 117.2 innings covering 10 starts and 27 relief appearances. Manaea showcased more velocity this past season than in 2022 and posted a 2.87 ERA from August onward, so he should be able to find a multi-year deal somewhere.

Manaea allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out eight without walking a batter over six innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea rejoined the rotation Sept. 12, and over his last four starts, he's maintained an 18:2 K:BB over 24 innings. He wasn't able to pick up a third straight win, but he earned a second straight quality start. The southpaw had his ups and downs while moving between the rotation and bullpen during the year, but he's posted a respectable 4.44 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 128:42 K:BB over 117.2 innings overall. This was likely his last start of the campaign, and after throwing 100 pitches (67 strikes), it seems improbable that he'd be able to make a relief appearance over the weekend.

Manaea (7-6) allowed three hits and struck out two without walking a batter over seven scoreless innings to earn the win over the Dodgers on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea was at his best, throwing 61 of 85 pitches for strikes in an efficient start against a dangerous offense. It was just his second quality start of the year, as he's often been used behind an opener. The southpaw has given up just eight runs (six earned) over 21 innings across four games in September. He's at a 4.51 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 120:42 K:BB through 111.2 innings over 36 appearances (nine starts) this year. Manaea is projected for a home outing against the Padres next week, which would likely be his last appearance of the regular season.

Manaea (6-6) earned the win Sunday against the rockies, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits and no walks while striking out three over 5.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea allowed just two baserunners to reach scoring position through the first five innings but couldn't keep the strong effort going into the sixth. He began the frame with a strikeout but then proceeded to allow a single, a home run and another single before being replaced by John Brebbia, who gave up another three more runs. Though only his last two outings have come as starts, Manaea had not given up more than four hits in an outing since July 22, but he's also given up fewer than three earned runs in each of his last five appearances. The 31-year-old now owns a 4.73 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 118:42 K:BB in 104 innings. He figures to stick in the starting rotation to close out the year and lines up to make his next start on the road against the Dodgers.

Manaea is slated to start Sunday's game against the Rockies in Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

The Giants could end up deploying Manaea behind an opener, but in any case, he'll pitch the majority of the innings Sunday and appears to have settled into a rotation spot at this point. While picking up start Tuesday for the first time since May 10, Manaea took a loss to the Guardians but struck out five while allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks. Despite delivering solid returns in the strikeouts, ERA and WHIP categories his last time out, Manaea makes for a risky streaming option Sunday at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Manaea (5-6) allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out five over 5.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea had a decent performance, throwing 56 of 80 pitches for strikes. He faltered in the sixth inning, though a two-out error by LaMonte Wade allowed the Guardians to load the bases. Ryan Walker relieved Manaea and promptly gave up a two-run single. Manaea has often featured as a long reliever this season, pitching to a 4.80 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 115:42 K:BB through 99.1 innings across 34 appearances (seven starts). The southpaw's role going forward is unclear, but he should be available to make his next appearance over the weekend in Colorado, whether that's as a starter or bulk reliever.