Sean Manaea was taken by the New York Mets' family feeling, just like Juan Soto. Manaea, who turns 33 on Feb. 1, had signed two-year deals in each of the previous two offseasons, first a $25 million agreement with San Francisco and then a $28 million deal with the Mets.

A new MLB rumor suggests Sean Manaea may have passed on a better offer in free agency to return to the New York Mets. For most Mets fans, the organization signing Sean Manaea last offseason was met with shoulder shrugs and little interest.

During the offseason, Manaea has worked out with Pete Alonso in Tampa. The two are close friends. Predictably, Manaea said he “very much” hopes the Mets and Alonso can work out a deal. “Whatever happens with Pete, I’m always going to support him,” Manaea said, “but I would definitely love to have him back on the Mets and be our first baseman.”