Mets-Sean Manaea contract further illustrates how Reds' shrewd moves are paying off

New York Mets' owner Steve Cohen has more money than he knows what to do with, and he proved that once again this offseason by inking free agent pitcher to a three-year, $75 million contract on Monday.

Manaea had a solid 2024 campaign in Queens and helped propel the Mets' into the playoffs. The left-hander was 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts with 184 punch outs in 181⅔ innings pitched. Manaea pitched well in his first two postseason starts, but collapsed during the NLCS loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Manaea is the latest in a long line of starting pitchers to secure a mega-deal this winter, and it makes Nick Krall's shrewd offseason acquisitions even more astute. Though questionable at the time, the Cincinnati Reds' President of Baseball Operations looks like a genius for extending a qualifying offer to Nick Martinez. Having Brady Singer in the fold for the next two seasons isn't too shabby either.

Reds' Nick Krall has countered the free agent splurge with some shrewd moves

Martinez out-pitched Manaea based on a number of metrics last season. While the Mets' starter had more innings pitched, and thus more strikeouts, Martinez had a lower ERA and WHIP. One could also make the argument that Martinez's ability to pitch as a starter and out of the bullpen gives Cincinnati a luxury in 2025 that New York won't have.

Adding Singer, at an estimated $8.8 million in 2025, cannot go unnoticed either. Though Manaea is an above-avearge starter, most pundits would probably consider him a reliable No. 3 starter. When you look at Singer's stats, you could make the argument that he's in the same boat. Singer's ERA (3.71) and WHIP (1.275) are higher, but his 2.5 fWAR is eerily close to Manaea's (2.8 fWAR).

Krall and the Reds' front office have made two key acquisitions that give them plenty of depth in the starting rotation. While a number of Reds fans are frustrated after seeing so many high-dollar free agents come off the board, that's not how Cincinnati does business. Look for Krall to scan the landscape and zero in on another low-cost/ high-upside player in order to shore up both the bullpen and the outfield. The Reds will never outspend teams like the Mets, but maybe they can outsmart them.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors