1 impending free agent from each remaining playoff team the Cardinals should target

New York Mets -- LHP Sean Manea

Sean Manaea was once one of the top pitchers for a strong Oakland Athletics team as recently as 2021. The lefty started 32 games that year with two complete game shutouts. Heading into free agency that winter, Manaea was one of the best pitches available. Since then, however, he's fallen a bit. He's played for three different teams in as many years, and his ERA was as high as 4.96 in 2022.

The southpaw has seen a resurgence this year, and it couldn't have come at a better time for him. He finished 2024 with a 3.47 ERA, 3.83 FIP, and 9.1 K/9 in 181.2 innings for the New York Mets. Manaea was a consistent force for the Mets during their playoff push, and he's been excellent in the postseason thus far.

Manaea has thrown 12 innings this postseason and allowed only three runs. He's stuck out 10 batters and allowed just nine hits while walking only two batters. His start against the Philadelphia Phillies in game three of the NLDS gave New York a 2-1 series lead. He threw seven excellent innings in that game.

Manaea will turn 33 on February 1st, so he's definitely a veteran pitcher at this point in his career. Spotrac projects Manaea to receive a two-year, $30 million contract via free agency. He's represented by the Boras Corporation, and we all know how far Scott Boras is willing to go to get his clients what they deserve.

At $15 million a year, Manaea may be a steal this offseason for whoever signs him. The Mets have plenty of other viable free agents such as Jose Quintana, Luis Severino, J.D. Martinez, and even Jesse Winker, but Manaea seems to fit the Cardinal mold quite well.