Mets Blockbuster Trade Idea Would Replce Sean Manaea With Cy Young Award Contender

The New York Mets have already lost Frankie Montas for an extended period, but the state of their rotation has gotten even worse. Sean Manaea is now dealing with an oblique strain which will keep him from playing early in the season, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo.

“Manaea will not throw for the next two to three weeks, after which he will restart his spring progression,” wrote DiComo. “He’s unlikely to return before mid- to late April.”

Although Manaea and Montas will both return this season, the Mets may not be able to afford a slow start after going all in this offseason. They re-signed Pete Alonso and signed Juan Soto. They cannot risk a slow start keeping them from delivering on their lofty expectations. FanSided’s James Nolan urged the Mets to trade for Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres.

“New York could still use another front-end starter, even when Manaea returns,” wrote Nolan. “With the San Diego Padres’ openness to trade their ace, Dylan Cease, the Mets should make a call. Since 2021, he’s never pitched in less than 32 games. Not only is he a durable starter, but Cease has become one of the best in MLB.”

Cease has a 3.40 ERA in the last three seasons. He is in the final year of his deal and Spotrac projects him to earn a five-year, $108 million deal. If the Padres do not intend to pay him, they can get a decent return for him. He finished as runner-up in the American League Cy Young Award race in 2022 and finished fourth last season in the National League.

One of the Mets’ only criticisms this offseason was their failure to add a true ace. Now with Manaea and Montas both injured, they may have the push they need to go get Cease.

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