The Toronto Blue Jays made the 2025 World Series and were aided by a few key contributors like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer, among many others.
But, notably missing from that core group is right-handed pitcher Alek Manoah. He was once an all-Star ace who had a 2.24 ERA over 31 starts in 2022. But, after a fall from grace in 2023 and 2024, he was waived by the Blue Jays and picked up by the Atlanta Braves.
He didn't spend long in Atlanta, just under one month, later was non-tendered by the team, hitting free agency. But, as Jeff Passan of ESPN reports, the former Blue Jays All-Star is singing with the Los Angeles Angels.
Ex-Blue Jays All-Star Alek Manoah signs with Angels
"Right-hander Alek Manoah and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a one-year, $1.95 million contract, a source tells ESPN," Passan reported.
This is a very interesting signing from the Angels. While Manoah struggled after his All-Star season with the Blue Jays, he still had some promise. But that will have been four years ago when the 2026 MLB season begins.
Manoah hasn't been the All-Star caliber pitcher he once was in four years by the time he gets his first Angels start. This deal isn't a very big one, at just $1.95 million, but for a pitcher like Manoah, who's struggled lately, it's not a small deal.
The most important aspect of the deal is that it's a Major League contract, not a minor league one. Some veterans looking for a bounce-back opportunity are signed to minor league deals. That isn't the case with Manoah.
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Los Angeles is expecting Manoah to contribute and is taking a chance on the former Blue Jays and Braves starter. In 2024, Manoah had a 3.70 ERA in five starts for the Blue Jays, but his 5.18 FIP was a major concern.
In 2023, the first year that his regression was apparent, Manoah had a 5.87 ERA in 19 starts. He wasn't a positive contributor for the Blue Jays after that All-Star 2022 season, when he had a 2.24 ERA in 31 starts.
But now, Manoah is getting his best chance ever at an MLB comeback. He's going to be 28 years old at the start of the year and will get a chance to pitch in the big leagues once more.
While his time in Toronto came to an abrupt halt, he was once viewed as a major contributor to the club going forward. While he didn't turn out as the Blue Jays had hoped, his new deal with the Angels is his best chance to bounce back from his wild fall from grace in Toronto.
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