The Oakland Athletics are currently focused on trading left-handed starting pitcher Sean Manaea before the start of the regular season. The New York Yankees have an opening in their starting rotation, especially with Domingo German heading to the 60-day IL.
To start spring training, the Yankee starters have been batted around quite a bit, with LHP Jordan Montgomery allowing three runs and six hits in his first inning of action on Wednesday.
With liabilities scattered throughout the rotation, injecting more talent is a recipe for success, but general manager Brian Cashman has been conservative with his approach this off-season.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, teams are discussing Manaea in prospective trades.
Teams in discussions with the A’s say Oakland currently is focused on trading LHP Sean Manaea, and is waiting to decide how to proceed with RHP Frankie Montas.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 23, 2022
Last season, Manaea finished with a 3.91 ERA over 179.1 innings pitched. He made 32 appearances, recording 11 wins, a 9.74 strikeout per nine rate, and 77.3% left on base percentage. Hosting a 3.68 SIERA and 3.62 xFIP, Manaea might be a perfect fit for the Yankees, specially after the departure of Corey Kluber, who signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Manaea features a fastball, slider, and change up. He throws his fastball at 92.2 mph on average, enjoying a 2 mph increase compared to the 2020 season. Given his best days are clearly ahead of him, the Yankees could rent Manaea for one more season as he prepares to hit free agency in 2023.
One year of team control isn’t worth much, but it is the probability of an extension that makes Sean so valuable at this point. In addition, another left-handed pitcher could add great diversity to the rotation alongside Montgomery.