In a move that has baseball fans buzzing, the Los Angeles Angels have taken a bold gamble by signing former All-Star pitcher Alek Manoah to a one-year, $1.95 million deal, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this a genius reclamation project or a risky bet on a player whose career has taken a dramatic downturn? Let’s dive in.
Manoah, a once-dominant force on the mound, was non-tendered by the Braves, leaving him a free agent. Now, at 28, he’s joining the Angels in what feels like a last-chance opportunity to reclaim his former glory. His journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After a stellar 2022 season with the Blue Jays—where he went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA and finished third in AL Cy Young voting—Manoah’s performance plummeted. And this is the part most people miss: His struggles weren’t just about underperformance; they culminated in Tommy John surgery in June 2024, a setback that sidelined him for months.
Following his surgery, Manoah attempted a comeback in 2025, making 10 rehab starts for the Blue Jays, including seven in Triple-A Buffalo, where he posted a respectable 2.97 ERA. Despite this, he was designated for assignment in September and later claimed by the Braves, who ultimately decided not to tender him a contract for 2026. Here’s the burning question: Can Manoah return to his 2022 form, when he was virtually untouchable on the mound? If so, the Angels could have pulled off one of the biggest steals of the offseason.
For context, during his peak in 2022, Manoah held opponents to one or no runs in 14 of his 31 starts and finished the season with a jaw-dropping 0.94 ERA over his final seven games. Over his career, he boasts a 29-20 record with a 3.34 ERA in 75 starts. But the big question remains: Can he recapture that magic? The Angels are betting on it, and if they’re right, their pitching staff could become a force to be reckoned with.
What do you think? Is this a smart move by the Angels, or are they setting themselves up for disappointment? Let us know in the comments below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out our holiday gift guide for the Angels fan in your life! (https://www.mlbshop.com/holiday-gift-guide/t-3092+c-9904?_s=bm-mlb.com-Banner-2025-MLB.com-Web-Banner-laa)
