6 more Athletics players we could see playing in Queens in 2022

Sean Manaea is much more attainable for the Mets to target

This upcoming season will be Sean Manaea’s final one under contract before hitting free agency. For this reason, the frugal Athletics really do need to trade him.

Unlike Montas, Manaea has a track record of success dating back several seasons. It’s nothing outstanding but he does have a 50-41 career record and 3.86 ERA through his first 128 big league starts plus a single relief appearance as a rookie in 2016.

There are a few reasons to like him as a potential future member of the Mets. He throws left-handed, which is something they should highly consider for their final piece to the rotation. It’s not necessary but something to weigh the pros and cons of.

Because he is a year away from free agency, Manaea won’t cost nearly as much. He is coming off of a successful season where he was 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA. Since the Mets are only looking for a number three starter or worse, I think Manaea checks off the boxes.

Manaea already made nearly $6 million last year which means he should get a bigger raise in his final year of arbitration eligibility. The Athletics are going to move him somewhere. He’s the kind of guy that if the Mets want to even get creative could pair him with another trade candidate on the Oakland roster.