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A NY Mets free agent target to complement Tarik Skubal, provide Sean Manaea insurance

The Mets should take a chance on this veteran pitcher in free agency.
ByPat Ragazzo
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Sep 22, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) walks off the field after he pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Sep 22, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) walks off the field after he pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Mets have a solid young trio of starting pitchers in Nolan McLean, Christian Scott and Zac Thornton. However, they still need to add multiple pieces to their rotation this offseason. Their top target should be two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, and they certainly must bring in a frontline arm even if they miss out on him. But there is one non-frontline gamble they could make to replace Sean Manaea as their fifth starter.

Why the Mets should sign Shane Bieber

Former Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber is a free agent this offseason and the Mets could take a chance on him to bolster the back of their rotation. While Bieber is no longer an elite starter, he has proven to be serviceable when healthy.

In the last two seasons, Bieber posted a 4.03 ERA and 1.4 bWAR in 18 regular season starts for the Toronto Blue Jays. He also helped the Blue Jays reach the World Series in 2025 with a 3.86 ERA in five appearances and four starts. Bieber would bring an experienced veteran presence to a young rotation in Queens.

Despite being owed $25 million in the final year of his deal in 2027, Manaea appears to be destined for a bullpen role. Signing Bieber would officially bump Manaea to the 'pen, and add an experienced arm with prior success to the fifth starter spot.

Why Shane Bieber is a risk for the Mets

Bieber will turn 32-years-old next season and comes along with a lengthy injury history. Bieber has dealt with a number of shoulder and elbow injuries since 2021. He was limited to just 11 starts last season due to right elbow inflammation and right teres major inflammation in his shoulder.

Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery back in 2024, which knocked him out until August of 2025. That being said, he was solid upon being traded to the Blue Jays that season (3.57 ERA in seven starts), helping them get to the World Series, as previously mentioned.

Signing Bieber would be risky for the Mets after they relied on injury prone players in 2026, such as Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. Manaea, who the Mets would be replacing in favor of Bieber, has also dealt with injury woes in the past two seasons.

Regardless, the Mets could still bring in Bieber given his track record and upside, similar to what the Blue Jays did in 2025. It worked out for the Blue Jays in year-one, but backfired in his second season with the club due to his injury troubles. Bieber would be a risk for the Mets, but they should probably take a gamble on him if he is their second rotation addition. The Mets could potentially land Bieber on a one-year deal, as a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.

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