Sean Manaea's Candid Struggle: Mets Pitcher Battles Frustration, Vows to Step Up

Sean Manaea, the New York Mets' left-handed pitcher, has publicly expressed profound frustration with his recent outings, feeling a heavy burden for not consistently pitching deep into games and overtaxing the bullpen. In a candid interview, Manaea didn't mince words, stating, "I feel terrible," a sentiment that encapsulates his current state of mind regarding his contributions to the struggling Mets.

The core of Manaea's discontent stems from his inability to be the "innings eater" he believes he should be.

He's recorded outings of just 3.1 innings and 4.1 innings recently, forcing manager Carlos Mendoza to frequently turn to his bullpen early. This pattern, Manaea acknowledges, puts immense pressure on his fellow pitchers, a responsibility he feels keenly. "I just feel like I'm not pulling my weight," he admitted, highlighting his internal struggle with command and the difficulty of getting early outs efficiently.

This self-assessment comes at a critical time for the Mets, who currently sit with a 33-40 record, languishing in fourth place in the National League East.

The team's bullpen has been among the most utilized in MLB, logging 282.1 innings, ranking third highest in the league. While some of that workload is by design, Manaea's shortened starts undeniably contribute to the strain, diminishing the effectiveness of relief arms.

For Manaea, a veteran with a career that includes moments of brilliance, this isn't just about statistics; it's about identity.

He aspires to be a consistent, reliable presence in the rotation, drawing parallels to other veteran pitchers who carry their teams deep into games. His desire is to alleviate pressure, not create it. Despite his 3-3 record and a 4.11 ERA across 12 starts this season, these numbers don't fully capture the self-imposed pressure he feels to perform at a higher, more enduring level.

In 2023, he notably managed to pitch 6.0 innings or more in six of his final 10 starts, a benchmark he's striving to reclaim.

As the Mets navigate a challenging season, the need for starting pitchers to shoulder more of the load is paramount. Manaea understands this implicitly. His public declaration of frustration isn't a sign of defeat but rather a powerful testament to his competitive spirit and commitment to his team.

He is determined to make the necessary adjustments, to find the command and efficiency that will allow him to pitch deeper into ballgames, and ultimately, to feel like he is indeed pulling his weight for the New York Mets. The path forward for Manaea is clear: to channel this frustration into focused improvement, becoming the consistent "horse" his team desperately needs.