After ending with one of many higher data within the American League over the second half of 2024, the Athletics entered this offseason trying so as to add pitching with the intention to assist their younger squad take a giant step ahead in ’25.
Making a major splash that maybe nobody outdoors the group noticed coming, the A’s bolstered their rotation on Friday by reaching settlement with right-hander Luis Severino on a 2-year take care of a participant choice for 2027. The deal, which may whole $67 million and features a $10 million signing bonus, a supply informed MLB.com, is the biggest assured contract handed out by the A’s in franchise historical past, surpassing the six-year, $66 million contract extension for third baseman Eric Chavez in 2004.
As one of many higher right-handers obtainable on the free-agent market, Severino vaults to the highest of the A’s rotation as their seemingly No. 1 starter. He joins a projected rotation that features a sturdy left-hander in JP Sears, together with right-handers Joey Estes and Mitch Spence, each of whom confirmed promise final season as rookies. With comparatively unproven arms like J.T. Ginn, Osvaldo Bido, Joe Boyle and Brady Basso as the present choices to spherical out the rotation, the A’s may nonetheless search so as to add one other starter by way of commerce or free company.
Severino, who turns 31 in February, bounced again this yr with the Mets following a string of injury-riddled seasons with the Yankees. In what was his first full season since 2018, Severino made 31 begins and posted a 3.91 ERA with 161 strikeouts in 182 innings. His four-seamer averaged 96.2 mph in 2024 — however he’s undoubtedly a distinct pitcher than the hard-throwing budding ace from his early Yankees days. Now relying extra on delicate contact than whiffs, he’s integrated a tough sinker and an wonderful sweeper in opposition to which opponents hit .139 final season.
Initially signed by the Yankees as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in December 2011, Severino reached the large leagues in 2015 and really burst onto the scene in 2017, when he went 14-6 with a 2.98 ERA (152 ERA+) and racked up 230 strikeouts in 193 1/3 innings. He earned his first All-Star choice that yr and completed third in AL Cy Younger Award voting behind winner Corey Kluber and runner-up Chris Sale.
As a result of Severino obtained and turned down a qualifying provide from the Mets final month and his deal exceeds $50 million, the A’s will lose their third-highest 2025 MLB Draft decide, whereas New York receives a compensatory 2025 Draft decide between the fourth and fifth rounds.
Whereas Severino’s damage historical past previous to a wholesome 2024 raises some concern, the A’s knew beginning pitching would come at a premium this winter. Why had been they keen to pay the richest contract within the illustrious 123-year historical past of the franchise? Due to the optimism fashioned round a younger group of gamers that helped the A’s end the 2024 season with a file of 39-37 after July 1.
The A’s have recognized their potential subsequent core of profitable baseball with gamers comparable to Mason Miller, Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday, Shea Langeliers, Zack Gelof and Tyler Soderstrom. Additionally looming are A’s No. 1 prospect (MLB No. 24) Jacob Wilson, who ended the season because the membership’s on a regular basis shortstop, and No. 2 prospect (MLB No. 45) Nick Kurtz, who reached as excessive as Double-A Midland not lengthy after the A’s took the primary baseman fourth general within the 2024 MLB Draft.
Now comes supplementing that core with enhancements like Severino to deal with their offseason wants and assist the A’s take a giant step in the direction of getting again into playoff rivalry.