**NEW YORK** — Sean Manaea expressed a deep appreciation for the familial atmosphere fostered by the New York Mets, a sentiment he shares with teammate Juan Soto. During a recent virtual press conference, Manaea discussed his recent three-year, $75 million contract with the Mets, which was finalized on December 27. He remarked, “I thought that it was a perfect fit. My wife, Talat, also loved the family-oriented environment here.”

Manaea, who is set to celebrate his 33rd birthday on February 1, has experienced his share of contract negotiations in recent years. After signing two-year contracts in the previous two offseasons—one worth $25 million with San Francisco and another totaling $28 million with the Mets—he opted out after each season to re-enter free agency. “Earlier this offseason, a couple of teams reached out, and we spoke briefly, but it didn’t go beyond those initial conversations,” he explained.

Last season, Manaea showcased a strong performance, finishing with a record of 12-6 and a 3.47 ERA across 32 starts for the Mets. He made a notable adjustment by lowering his arm slot midseason, leading to a 6-2 record with a 3.09 ERA in his final 12 regular-season games, along with a 2-1 postseason record and a 4.74 ERA in four playoff appearances.

Staying with the Mets was a priority for Manaea. He praised the club’s commitment to maintaining open communication between players’ families and the organization. “The organization does an incredible job taking care of everything,” he noted. “When I’m at the field and need tickets or any assistance, they make it so simple.” This familial ethos was also acknowledged by Soto, who recently signed a groundbreaking $765 million, 15-year agreement with the Mets, emphasizing the warmth instilled by owner Steve Cohen and his wife, Alex.

Currently, Manaea is honing his changeup in Florida, training at both Driveline Baseball and Diesel Optimization. He attributed his successful second half of the season to the guidance of pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and the Mets’ coaching staff. “He really allowed me to be myself and experiment, which has been great for my development,” Manaea mentioned, highlighting the collaborative dynamic he enjoys with Hefner in discussing pitching strategies.

Manaea had been playing for San Diego during the 2022 season when the Padres struck a deal to bring Soto on board from Washington. Reflecting on Soto’s impact, Manaea stated, “You could just feel his energy.” With Manaea gearing up for his second consecutive season with the same team, he relished the stability, as it marks the first time since his six-year tenure with Oakland that he has remained with one organization for back-to-back seasons.

“Traveling to different cities, being part of various organizations, and meeting new people is enjoyable,” he shared. “However, there comes a time when it feels good to have some roots and settle down.” This winter, Manaea has also been training alongside slugger Pete Alonso, a free agent who has devoted his career to the Mets. “I’d absolutely love to see him return and be our first baseman,” Manaea remarked. “We train together almost every day; he usually arrives a bit earlier than I do.”