Left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea has decided to forgo his $13.5 million contract option with the New York Mets for the 2025 season, making him a free agent for the third straight year, according to someone familiar with his choice. This information was shared on the condition of anonymity since the team has not publicly announced the decision.

Manaea signed a deal earlier in January that guaranteed him a salary of $14.5 million for the upcoming 2024 season. During the past year, the 32-year-old athlete performed admirably, finishing with a record of 12 wins and 6 losses while achieving a 3.47 earned run average (ERA) across 32 starts. He struck out 184 batters and walked 63 over 181 and two-thirds innings.

After adjusting his pitching mechanics halfway through the season, Manaea emerged as the most reliable starting pitcher for the Mets, boasting a remarkable 6-2 record and a 3.09 ERA over his last 12 outings. His postseason performance included three victories, where he recorded a 4.74 ERA across four starts.

Previously, Manaea opted out of the final year of a two-year, $25 million contract with the San Francisco Giants last November, forgoing a $12.5 million salary for 2024. In his one season with the Giants, he had a record of 7-6 and a 4.44 ERA.

With nine years of experience in Major League Baseball, Manaea has compiled a career record of 77 wins and 62 losses and maintains a 4.00 ERA over 198 starts, in addition to 30 appearances out of the bullpen. His career journey includes time spent with the Oakland Athletics from 2016 to 2021, the San Diego Padres in 2022, and most recently with the Giants and Mets.