Mets starting rotation projection after the Sean Manaea signing

Sean Manaea is an early bird or at least his agent is. Jon Heyman broke the news at 5:01am on Sunday. Manaea will be joining the Mets on a two-year deal worth $28 million with an opt out after 2024.

This might be the final piece of the Mets rotation puzzle. Another one of the rebound candidates were in the market to sign, how does the starting rotation project with him added to the roster?

Mets Opening Day starting rotation after the Sean Manaea addition

Here’s who the Mets have headlining the rotation:

1. Kodai Senga
2. Jose Quintana
3. Luis Severino
4. Sean Manaea
5. Adrian Houser

That’s the five. The order doesn’t matter much. Splitting up the lefties in the two and four spot is an easy conclusion to come to.

For a couple of reasons, we could see the Mets explore a six-man rotation even if it’s not strict. Keeping Kodai Senga at his best is a must for the team. Considering they do have pitchers like Tylor Megill and Joey Lucchesi with options available for spot starts along with Jose Butto and currently injured David Peterson, it’s not too outrageous to expect more than five starters on a regular basis.

The Manaea signing may, however, take them out of the mix for any other major additions. The only way they would have room to sign another free agent could be if Adrian Houser was actually acquired to be more of a swingman like Trevor Williams was in 2022. The Milwaukee Brewers used him that way often. Could the Mets use a similar tactic?

As questionable as this starting five is, it’s easy to see the upside. Senga and Quintana were good for the Mets in 2023. Severino and Manaea are two who need to get back on the wagon, the former needing health on his side, too. Houser, meanwhile, is a bit more predictable. His flexibility at pitching as a starter and reliever makes him a good fit.

Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner is going to earn his paycheck in 2024. Let's get to St. Lucie already.