Angels take a flier on former All-Star Alek Manoah with 1-year deal
The Angels signed right-hander Alek Manoah to a one-year contract, hoping to revitalize their rotation. Once an All-Star with the Blue Jays, Manoah faced command issues and underwent Tommy John surgery, leading to a tumultuous recent history. The Angels see potential in him, believing he can return to form.
The Angels have added another intriguing arm to their offseason mix, signing right-hander Alek Manoah to a one-year, 1.95 million dollar contract. Once one of the most dominant young pitchers in the American League, Manoah arrives in Anaheim as a high-upside gamble for a team looking to rebuild its rotation under new manager Kurt Suzuki and pitching coach Mike Maddux.
A meteoric rise followed by a dramatic fall
Manoah’s early career made him one of baseball’s most talked-about arms. In 2022, the then–Blue Jays right-hander earned an All-Star nod and finished third in the AL Cy Young race after delivering a sparkling 2.24 ERA with 180 strikeouts across 196 2/3 innings. His size, power and presence quickly turned him into a fan favorite in Toronto.
But 2023 marked a turning point. Struggles with command led to a 5.87 ERA, 59 walks in 87 1/3 innings and multiple stints in the Minors as the Blue Jays tried to help him regain form. The following year offered flashes of progress, Manoah posted a 3.70 ERA across 24 1/3 MLB innings in 2024, but his season was cut short in June when he underwent Tommy John surgery.
Working his way back to the mound
After missing extended big league time following the elbow procedure, Manoah spent 2025 rebuilding his workload. He made 10 Minor League rehab starts last season, recording a 3.96 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings. His best stretch came at Triple-A Buffalo, where he allowed a 2.97 ERA across 33 1/3 innings.
Despite the progress, Toronto designated him for assignment on Sept. 23, ending a run that saw Manoah evolve into a clubhouse personality and fan favorite. The Braves scooped him up on waivers later that month but ultimately chose not to tender him a contract, sending him into free agency.
A fresh start in Anaheim
The Angels have been seeking rotation depth all offseason, previously acquiring Grayson Rodriguez in a trade for Taylor Ward. Manoah now joins a group that includes Jose Soriano, Yusei Kikuchi, Reid Detmers and Rodriguez, a rotation filled with talent but also uncertainty. Rodriguez did not pitch in 2025 while recovering from bone spur surgery, adding another question mark to Anaheim’s pitching outlook.
Manoah’s appeal remains clear: when he throws strikes, his stuff still profiles at the top end of a rotation. His biggest challenge continues to be command, both in terms of walks and wild pitches. The most notable example came in 2023 when an errant fastball struck Ward in the face, ending the outfielder’s season and requiring facial surgery.
Still, the Angels believe the former No. 11 overall Draft pick can rediscover the form that made him one of the league’s most promising starters in 2021 and 2022. With a relatively low financial commitment and a rotation in need of upside, Manoah represents the kind of calculated risk that could pay off quickly if he regains his command.
