Picture this: a former All-Star pitcher, once hailed as a rising superstar, betting big on a comeback with a fresh start at a struggling team like the Los Angeles Angels. It's the kind of story that tugs at the heartstrings of baseball fans everywhere—full of highs, lows, and a glimmer of hope.
Right-handed hurler Alek Manoah has inked a one-year deal worth $1.95 million to pitch for the Angels, as confirmed by The Post's Jon Heyman. This move comes after a tumultuous period where he's been searching for his footing in the big leagues.
But here's where it gets controversial... Manoah was let go by the Toronto Blue Jays late in September, only to be scooped up by the Atlanta Braves shortly after. Despite the pickup, he never took the mound in the majors during the 2025 season and was ultimately released by Atlanta in November. ESPN's Jeff Passan was the first to break this news.
For those new to baseball lingo, let's break it down simply: Alek is a talented pitcher who was selected in the first round of the MLB draft out of West Virginia University back in 2019. He quickly rose through the Blue Jays' farm system as one of their top prospects and made a splash in 2021 with a solid 3.22 Earned Run Average (that's basically a measure of how many runs an opponent scores per nine innings due to the pitcher's mistakes—lower is better) across 20 starts. He even placed eighth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, a prestigious award for newcomers who shine brightly.
Then came 2022, which was arguably his career peak. Manoah posted an impressive 2.24 ERA, racked up 180 strikeouts (meaning he struck out batsmen at a high rate, keeping hitters off-balance), and threw 196 and two-thirds innings—a workload that showed his durability. He earned a spot on the All-Star team (that's an annual showcase game featuring the best players from each league) and had a unforgettable moment when he was mic'd up on the mound at Dodger Stadium, letting fans hear his intense focus. He finished third in the Cy Young Award race, which honors the top pitcher in his league—quite an achievement!
And this is the part most people miss... That 2022 success turned out to be his zenith, followed by a steep decline. His 2023 campaign was rough, with a dismal 5.87 ERA and a 1.74 Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP, another stat showing how often batters reach base against a pitcher—again, lower is ideal). Things got so bad that he was demoted to the rookie-level Florida Complex League, where he struggled badly in a June outing, allowing 11 runs. For beginners, imagine WHIP as a barometer of a pitcher's control; if it's high, it means opponents are getting on base too easily.
He showed signs of improvement in 2024, but after just 24 and one-third innings, Manoah underwent surgery to fix the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow—a common injury for pitchers that can sideline them for months. He was out from June through the beginning of 2025, missing crucial time.
At 27 years old, he returned this past July on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues and performed well with a 2.97 ERA over seven starts at the Triple-A level (that's the highest minor league tier, just one step below the majors). However, the Blue Jays parted ways with him just weeks before their playoff push, which culminated in their first World Series title in 32 years. It's a bittersweet twist—did Toronto make the right call in cutting ties, or did they overlook a potential contributor? Fans might argue either way, and it's one of those decisions that sparks heated debates in sports circles.
Now, Manoah is heading to the Angels, a team that ranked among the bottom performers in 2025 with the third-worst team ERA and WHIP in the league. It's an intriguing gamble: can a pitcher with his track record bounce back, or are the Angels setting themselves up for another disappointing season? For example, teams often take chances on veterans like this to fill roster spots, but with the Angels' struggles, some might question if this is a savvy move or just adding to an already leaky ship.
What do you think, baseball enthusiasts? Is Alek Manoah still capable of reclaiming his All-Star form, or has his injury history made him too risky a bet? Do you believe the Blue Jays' decision to cut him before their historic run was a smart strategy, or did it backfire? Share your thoughts in the comments—let's discuss whether this Angels deal is a potential game-changer or just another chapter in a pitcher's rollercoaster career. And hey, if you've got a controversial take on how teams should handle rehabbing stars, we're all ears!
