5 free agents the Mets should sign after giving Juan Soto $765 million

The New York Mets just signed Juan Soto to the largest deal in professional sports history. His 15-year, $765 million is both the longest and most expensive contract any pro sports franchise has ever signed one player to. That comes out to an AAV of $51 million. Once his signing bonus is accounted for, Soto will end up making over $800 million with his new contract.

But even though this is the biggest splash the Mets have ever made in the history of sports, they shouldn’t take the foot off the gas. Soto only solves one problem on the Mets’ depth chart. There is still work to be done and free agents the Mets should go after now that Juan Soto is signed for the next 15 years.

1) Sean Manaea

The Mets need some stability in their rotation. Last year, they had three starters make at least 31 starts, and put up an above average ERA. One of those three pitchers has already signed with another team, that being Luis Severino. But the Mets can still re-sign the best of that trio with Sean Manaea.

Manaea had a nice rebound season after two unimpressive seasons with the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. Manaea pitched 181.2 innings, the most in his career, working to a 3.47 ERA, 3.83 FIP, and 1.08 WHIP. The veteran lefty struck out nearly a quarter of opponents with a 24.5% K% with a respectable 1.04 HR/9, and an 8.5% walk rate. 

The only downside is that the underlying numbers did not like Manaea as much as his ERA says. Manaea had a 3.75 xERA, 3.96 SIERA, and 4.05 xFIP. However, those are still solid numbers, especially considering Manaea is typically a durable starter. Plus, Manaea made a handful of changes last year, like lowering his arm angle and mixing up his pitch usage.

An arm like Manaea is the sort of rotation anchor this Mets’ starting five needs. The Mets are taking some risks by signing Frankie Montas and moving Clay Holmes into their starting rotation. Manaea is a good bet to make 30+ starts.