Imagine a once-celebrated baseball star, now grappling with setbacks, desperately seeking a comeback on the diamond—it's the kind of story that tugs at the heartstrings of every sports fan. But what if that redemption arc hinges on a team with its own struggles? That's the intriguing saga unfolding with former All-Star pitcher Alek Manoah, who just inked a one-year deal worth $1.95 million to pitch for the Los Angeles Angels. Dive in, and let's unpack how this right-hander hopes to revive his Major League career after a bumpy road.
The news broke via confirmation from The Post's Jon Heyman, with ESPN's Jeff Passan initially reporting it. Manoah, a 27-year-old righty, is betting on a fresh start after being let go by the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves in quick succession. Designated for assignment by Toronto in late September, he was scooped up by the Braves, but he didn't throw a single pitch in the majors during the 2025 season. Atlanta then chose not to tender him a contract in November, leaving him on the free-agent market.
To understand Manoah's journey, let's rewind to his roots. Selected in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of West Virginia University, he quickly became a rising star in the Blue Jays' farm system. By 2021, he exploded onto the big-league scene, posting a solid 3.22 ERA across 20 starts—think of ERA as a measure of how many runs a pitcher allows per nine innings, where lower is better—and he even snagged eighth place in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. It's like a newcomer in any field impressing right out of the gate.
Then came 2022, his absolute peak: a dazzling 2.24 ERA, racking up 180 strikeouts in 196 and two-thirds innings. He earned a spot on the AL All-Star team, complete with that unforgettable moment where he was mic'd up on the Dodger Stadium mound, sharing candid thoughts mid-game. He finished a strong third in the Cy Young Award race, which honors the top pitcher in each league—basically, the MVP of hurlers. For beginners, imagine it as the ultimate accolade for a pitcher's skill and impact.
But here's where it gets controversial: That 2022 season turned out to be the zenith, and Manoah hasn't recaptured that magic since. In 2023, things went south fast with a dismal 5.87 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP—WHIP tracks walks plus hits per inning, a key stat showing a pitcher's control and effectiveness. He even got sent down to the rookie-level Florida Complex League, where he got hammered for 11 runs in a single June outing. It was a humbling experience, like a top student suddenly struggling in advanced classes.
He showed signs of improvement in 2024, but after just 24 and one-third innings, an injury sidelined him: surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow kept him out from June until early 2025. This is a common setback for pitchers, akin to a runner tearing an Achilles tendon—painful and career-threatening, requiring careful rehab. Returning in July on a minor league assignment, he performed decently with a 2.97 ERA over seven Triple-A starts. However, Toronto parted ways with him just before their playoff push, which culminated in their first World Series title in 32 years. Ouch—talk about bad timing!
Now, Manoah is joining the Angels, a team that posted the third-worst ERA and WHIP in the majors during 2025. For context, the Angels' struggles mean they're looking for any boost, and Manoah's signing could be seen as a gamble on his potential. But is this the right fit, or just another stop on a declining path? Some fans might argue he's washed up at 27, while others point to his rehab success as evidence of a bounce-back. And this is the part most people miss: Could his past All-Star pedigree help turn around a struggling franchise, or is he doomed to repeat history? It's a debate worth having—after all, baseball comebacks like this are rare but thrilling when they happen.
What do you think? Is Alek Manoah's move to the Angels a savvy investment or a risky proposition for both sides? Do you believe his elbow is fully healed and ready for prime time, or should fans brace for more disappointments? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree this is a redemption story in the making, or disagree that he can recapture his glory days? Let's discuss!
