A former top-three Cy Young award finalist has landed with a new team.
The Los Angeles Angels have signed starting pitcher Alek Manoah to a one-year, $1.95M contract, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
After being non-tendered by the Atlanta Braves last month, Manoah has signed with a new team.
The former Toronto Blue Jays’ right-hander was claimed off waivers by the Braves in September after a tumultuous end to his Toronto tenure.
What happened to Manoah?
After being selected by Toronto 11th overall in the 2019 MLB draft out of West Virginia University, Manoah debuted in May of 2021. In 20 games, Manoah pitched to a 3.22 ERA in 111.2 innings, a promising start to his young career.
Even in that promising season, however, Manoah foreshadowed his future, hitting 16 batters, which led the American League.
2022 was an even more promising year for what was thought to be an ascending star in the game. In 196.2 innings, Manoah had a 2.24 ERA, finishing third in Cy Young voting behind recently signed Blue Jay Dylan Cease and Justin Verlander. Manoah even pitched in the All-Star game, striking out the side in his only inning of work.
But once again, control was an issue for Manoah, hitting 15 batters, which once again led the AL.
It was only downhill from there.
Any control Manoah had in those first two seasons evaporated in 2023. In 87.1 innings, Manoah had a 5.87 ERA, walking 59 batters and hitting an additional 9 batters. His advanced stats were even worse with a 6.01 FIP.
Even more worrisome for Manoah was that he gave up 15 home runs during that span, causing him to spend a good chunk of the season in the minors.
Manoah’s 2024 season didn’t go as planned either.
After just five starts, Manoah had to undergo surgery for a torn UCL in June, ending his season.
After making a few rehab starts in 2025, he was optioned to AAA-Buffalo. Following seven starts there, Manoah was designated for assignment in September.
What’s next for Manoah and the Angels?
Manoah will turn 28 in January, and seemingly still has time to get back to his winning ways. Many pitchers have become successful reclamation projects in recent years, such as Erick Fedde, after either spending time in the minors or going overseas. If Manoah is going to become one of those, he has to reclaim his control.
With pitching guru Mike Maddux, hired as the Angels’ pitching coach in October, Manoah has the opportunity to learn from his mistakes, gain back his control that made him a top prospect, and potentially make a comeback.
Because his deal is fully guaranteed, Manoah is likely to make the back end of the Angels’ opening day rotation.
The Angels desperately needed starting pitching this offseason and had already acquired young pitcher Grayson Rodriguez last month. This will certainly not be the last move for an Angels team that is looking to improve after finishing at the bottom of the AL West.
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