Manaea to opt out of Giants contract, become MLB free agent

Laura Britt and Cole Kuiper, hosts of “Giants Talk,” speak with Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper to hear his opinions on Farhan Zaidi’s contract extension as the team’s president of baseball operations.
On Sunday, the Giants were given some clarity regarding the future of one of their seasoned starting pitchers.

Sean Manaea, a left-handed pitcher, informed Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that he plans to become a free agent and choose to opt out of the remaining two years of the $25 million contract he signed with San Francisco during the offseason.

Manaea struggled early in the season and was moved to the bullpen as a long reliever, despite expectations that he would be a key member of the Giants rotation. With a strong campaign finale, he eventually regained a starting position. His pitching improved towards the middle of the season.

The 31-year-old had a 4.44 ERA in 117 2/3 innings pitched, 128 strikeouts, and a respectable 3.90 FIP at the end of the season.

Manaea’s decision to opt out was probably influenced by his 5.49 ERA in the first half of the season and 3.43 ERA in the second, which included a 2.67 ERA in the last month.

A reunion with Manaea is unlikely, but it’s not out of the question. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has stated that the team will target top-of-the-rotation starting pitching this offseason.

The Giants would have owed Manaea $15 million in 2024 and in an underwhelming free-agent starting pitching market, the veteran has positioned himself to potentially land a larger contract elsewhere