Los Angeles Angels Land Manoah on One-Year Deal
In a move that could signal the beginning of a new era for the Los Angeles Angels' pitching staff, the team has signed right-hander Alek Manoah to a one-year, $1.95 million contract. The deal, which was first reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan, marks a significant investment in the 25-year-old pitcher who had been an unrestricted free agent following his departure from the Toronto Blue Jays.
Manoah's career has been marked by inconsistency and injury issues, but he showed flashes of brilliance in 2022, going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA and 180 strikeouts. He also made his first All-Star appearance that year and finished third in the Cy Young voting. However, his 2023 season was disastrous, with a 1-7 record and a 6.36 ERA, leading to his demotion to the minors.
Despite his struggles last season, Manoah's upside remains high, according to Fangraphs, which had him graded as a 50 "Future Value" on the 20-80 scale, with a strong fastball and slider. The Angels are taking a calculated risk on Manoah, who has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but they may have found a steal at under $2 million.
The move is part of the Angels' effort to rebuild their pitching staff, which ranked 29th in fWAR, FIP, ERA, and strikeouts per nine innings last season. The team hired former Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux and made several other moves in the offseason, including trading outfielder Taylor Ward for Grayson Rodriguez.
Manoah will likely slot into the Angels' starting rotation next season, along with Rodriguez, Yusei Kikuchi, José Soriano, and Reid Detmers. While the team still has a long way to go before becoming competitive, adding Manoah's upside at a fraction of the cost of other free agents could be just what they need to give Mike Trout another chance to play post-season baseball.
In a move that could signal the beginning of a new era for the Los Angeles Angels' pitching staff, the team has signed right-hander Alek Manoah to a one-year, $1.95 million contract. The deal, which was first reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan, marks a significant investment in the 25-year-old pitcher who had been an unrestricted free agent following his departure from the Toronto Blue Jays.
Manoah's career has been marked by inconsistency and injury issues, but he showed flashes of brilliance in 2022, going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA and 180 strikeouts. He also made his first All-Star appearance that year and finished third in the Cy Young voting. However, his 2023 season was disastrous, with a 1-7 record and a 6.36 ERA, leading to his demotion to the minors.
Despite his struggles last season, Manoah's upside remains high, according to Fangraphs, which had him graded as a 50 "Future Value" on the 20-80 scale, with a strong fastball and slider. The Angels are taking a calculated risk on Manoah, who has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but they may have found a steal at under $2 million.
The move is part of the Angels' effort to rebuild their pitching staff, which ranked 29th in fWAR, FIP, ERA, and strikeouts per nine innings last season. The team hired former Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux and made several other moves in the offseason, including trading outfielder Taylor Ward for Grayson Rodriguez.
Manoah will likely slot into the Angels' starting rotation next season, along with Rodriguez, Yusei Kikuchi, José Soriano, and Reid Detmers. While the team still has a long way to go before becoming competitive, adding Manoah's upside at a fraction of the cost of other free agents could be just what they need to give Mike Trout another chance to play post-season baseball.
. I mean, 16-7 record and a 2.24 ERA? That's some crazy stuff! It feels like just yesterday he was makin' his first All-Star appearance 
. And now, here we are, with him signin' a one-year deal for under $2 million? That's like findin' a needle in a haystack, my friend 
. I know the Angels took a calculated risk, but it's still excitin' to think about what he could bring to the table next season. Mike Trout might just get his wish to play some postseason ball after all 
. And let's be real, the Angels' pitching staff was pretty laughable last year 
. So, I'm feelin' good about this move... Manoah's upside is still there, and at that price point? It's like they found a diamond in the rough 
.
I mean, have you ever tried to watch a baseball game while having the sound blasting from outside? Not exactly the best experience, but it's kinda cool to imagine, right? Anyway, back to Manoah, I guess $1.95 mil is a pretty decent deal for him, considering what other guys are getting paid this offseason 
. But hey, maybe he'll finally iron out his inconsistencies and become that ace we all thought he could be 
. By the way, has anyone tried that new avocado toast place downtown?
. I know he's had some inconsistency and injury issues, but that 2022 season was straight fire 
. He showed the world what he's capable of, even if it wasn't consistent. And at under $2 million? That's like stealin'! 
I'm not sure what to think about this signing, to be honest. On one hand, you gotta love the potential with Manoah - that 50 "Future Value" grade from Fangraphs? 
. And rehabbing from Tommy John surgery takes time, so it's hard to predict when he'll be back on the mound.
... the Angels are taking a risk on Manoah, but you gotta wonder if they're gonna get the return they want... I mean, he's got that 50 future value grade from Fangraphs, which is still pretty high 
️, but can he stay healthy and put it all together? and what about that 2023 season where everything just fell apart 
. But on the other hand, he's got some serious upside and was putting up big numbers before that 2023 season went off the rails 
. I guess it's a calculated risk they're taking, hoping to get some value out of him at a low price 
. And if they can get him healthy and back on track, that could be just what they need to bolster their pitching staff 
but I think it's interesting how Fangraphs still sees him as a 50 "Future Value" 
. it's like buying a diamond in the rough, you never know what you're gonna get. but if they can tap into that potential, manoah could be a total game-changer for the team 
. i'm intrigued to see how this all plays out, especially with mike trout looking to make another deep postseason run 
The thing is, Manoah's got the tools and the talent to be a top-tier pitcher. I'm thinkin' he'll bounce back big time this year and become a staple in that rotation 
.
. If he can stay healthy and work on that consistency, watch out MLB 
!
. 1.95 mil is a steal at this point, fingers crossed he doesn't get hurt again 
... remember how he used to dominate on the mound? I feel like the Angels are giving him a second chance, hoping he'll rediscover his magic. it's kinda like when Steve Garvey was with the team back in the 80s 
also whats with the move from tO toronto to LA? might be trying to boost team morale or something 
the fact that the Angels are willing to take a calculated risk on him at under $2 million is like, total genius 
i mean, the guy went from 1-7 last season to having a 50 "Future Value" rating 
