Angels sign Alek Manoah to a one-year deal

The Angels added a new candidate for the fifth spot in the starting rotation with the signing of right-hander Alek Manoah.

The Angels and Manoah agreed to a one-year $1.95 million contract, the team announced Tuesday afternoon.

Manoah turns 28 years old in January and is searching to become the pitcher he once was when he broke into the league with the Toronto Blue Jays. He followed up his impressive rookie campaign that featured a 3.22 ERA in 20 starts with a spectacular sophomore season that earned him an All-Star appearance and was a finalist in the American League Cy Young race. That lone All-Star season came in 2022 when he posted a 2.24 ERA in 31 starts.

Since then, it's been all downhill for Manoah.

He struggled mightily in 2023 because of command issues. A 14.2% walk rate (MLB average is 8.4%) led to a 5.87 ERA and a demotion all the way down to rookie ball, so he could work at the Blue Jays' development complex.

The next season, Manoah pitched in only five starts before undergoing Tommy John Surgery in June of 2024, which is the last time he has appeared in a major league game.

Manoah returned to the mound in 2025 at the minor league level and was limited to 38 2/3 innings pitched. The bulk of those innings came in his seven starts in Triple-A Buffalo, where he pitched to a 2.97 ERA.

One of the biggest concerns with Manoah is the decline in his arsenal. Despite his 6-foot-6-inch and 285-pound frame, Manoah only threw 93.6 miles per hour at the height of his powers. He has since lost velocity and movement in his secondary pitches, which has led to higher contact rates.

The Angels are taking an affordable risk for a potential fifth man in the rotation with this signing. The other options for the Angels' fifth rotation spot include Jack Kochanowicz, Mitch Farris, Chase Silseth and Caden Dana. Others may be added into the mix depending on how the Angels shop in the rest of free agency.