Highest-Paid Reliever in 2026 MLB Season Sean Manaea of the New York Mets has been named the highest-paid reliever for the 2026 Major League Baseball season. The right-handed pitcher is set to earn an average salary of $25 million this year under a three-year contract worth $75 million. This will be the second-to-last year of his deal, after which he will become a free agent in 2028. Manaea, who joined the Mets in 2024, has transitioned from a starting role to a full-time reliever for 2026. Last season, he was limited to just 15 games as a starter, prompting the team to shift his role. Speaking about the change, Manaea expressed his preference for starting but acknowledged the team’s decision. “I consider myself a starter. To not be that is frustrating. But at the end of the day, I’m going to let my pitching do the work in whatever capacity that is and go from there,” he said during an interview at Clover Park. Manaea’s move to the bullpen is part of a broader trend of high-profile relievers securing lucrative contracts. Alongside him, Edwin Díaz, a former Mets teammate now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is also among the top earners. Díaz is on a three-year deal that will pay him over $20 million in 2026. Other notable relievers include Tanner Scott, who will earn $18 million, and Devin Williams, who will make $17 million. Raisel Iglesias is set for $16 million. Josh Hader of the Houston Astros holds the most valuable contract among relievers, with a five-year, $95 million deal that runs through 2028. Hader’s agreement is the longest among top-paid relievers and ranks as the second-largest contract in the league. Tanner Scott’s $72 million deal with the Dodgers and Edwin Díaz’s $69 million contract follow closely behind.#los_angeles_dodgers #new_york_mets #clover_park #sean_manea #edwin_diaz
Mets' Mike Tauchman Injured, Affects Opening Day Roster During Spring Training, Mets officials have avoided making definitive predictions about roster battles, emphasizing that unforeseen circumstances could alter the landscape quickly. A potential complication arose on Saturday when outfielder Mike Tauchman showed visible signs of discomfort in his left knee. The injury became apparent as Tauchman struggled to move swiftly during a third-inning groundout, then again while chasing a Yainer Diaz double in the top of the fourth inning. Later in the game, Tauchman attempted to return to the field but was unable to do so, leading to his removal from the contest—a 7-5 loss to the Astros at Clover Park. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Tauchman underwent an MRI exam later that afternoon. "We’ve just got to wait and see what we’re dealing with and go from there," Mendoza said. Even if the injury proves to be minor, its timing is critical, as less than a week remains until Opening Day. Tauchman, Carson Benge, and Vidal Bruján are vying for the final two roster spots, with Benge currently holding a slight edge due to his strong performance in the Grapefruit League. However, the Mets could still include both Tauchman and Benge on the roster, provided they are willing to operate without a dedicated backup shortstop and both players remain healthy. Tauchman, 35, has a history of lower-body injuries, including a torn meniscus in his right knee that required surgery last September. Mendoza acknowledged the concern surrounding the MRI but stressed the need for patience. "Anytime you send someone for an MRI, obviously there's a little bit of concern," he said. "But we’ve just got to wait and see what happens. I’ve been saying a lot can happen before we make the final decisions, and here we are, dealing with an injury.#mets #mike_tauchman #carlos_mendoza #yainer_diaz #clover_park
