Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Just a few years ago, right-hander Alek Manoah was seen as one of the better pitchers in all of baseball. Manoah had an excellent second season with the Toronto Blue Jays, looking like a potential ace for years to come.
In 2022, Manoah posted an ERA of 2.24 while also striking out 180 batters in 196.2 innings of work. His performance on the mound was as special as ever, and it helped him finish third in the American League Cy Young voting.
However, his third season dropped heavily, and Manoah was optioned to the Minor Leagues. Manoah could never recover, but there was hope for him to return to form, but then he tore his UCL in 2024.
The veteran was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays this past September, even with him making some rehab starts. Toronto seemed to be done with him, and he was then claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.
Manoah never pitched for the Braves, but there was some optimism that he could get a chance with the ballclub for 2026. However, the Braves just issued him a non-tender, making the veteran right-hander a free agent.
Since Manoah is now free to sign with any team, he becomes one of the more interesting options on the free agent market. While it has been a few years since he was a dominant pitcher, Manoah is just 27 years old, so there is a chance that he can turn things around.
The veteran just needs to go to a team that has the infrastructure needed to give him a shot, and if this happens, maybe he can get to his All-Star form. But this all remains to be seen, especially which teams may be willing to take a chance on him after everything that has happened.
This is just a prediction, NOT a report!
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Alek Manoah Joins Los Angeles Dodgers
One team that could look to take a chance on Manoah is the Los Angeles Dodgers. Los Angeles has been known over the years as a place for players to reestablish themselves, and the Dodgers have an excellent track record with pitchers.
If Manoah wants to get back to being dominant, or at least strong on the mound, the Dodgers could be the team to help him. While the Dodgers don’t really need help in the starting pitching department, every team could always use a ton of depth.
The Dodgers have seen multiple injuries hit their starters in each of the past few seasons, so they could look to bring Manoah in as an option. If anything, maybe he could become a bullpen piece for them, potentially a long reliever for some games during the season.
Los Angeles could offer him a chance to make the team during Spring Training, and Manoah may be wise to take this. It remains to be seen if the Dodgers will even be interested in him, but he has the high upside of a player that Los Angeles tends to prefer when it comes to reclamation projects.