Oakland Athletics’ Bold Move: Signing Luis Severino Amidst Uncertainty
In a surprising turn of events, Luis Severino found himself on a videoconference call the Friday after Thanksgiving with a group from the Oakland Athletics. The A’s were not just looking to add a pitcher; they were aiming to make Severino the ace of their staff and a pivotal figure in their franchise’s history. Severino, however, approached the meeting with a mix of receptiveness and skepticism.
“I had a lot of questions,” Severino admitted in Spanish. “Lots and lots.”
During the call, A’s general manager David Forst, manager Mark Kotsay, and other staff members faced a barrage of questions from Severino. He was curious about the team’s direction, especially given their recent record of losing 307 games over the past three years. Severino also inquired about the dynamics of the minor league ballpark that would serve as their temporary home for the next three seasons and the intentions of a franchise known for its frugality.
Just a few days after this initial meeting, Severino, a 30-year-old right-hander, received an offer that demonstrated the A’s seriousness. Within a week, he signed a three-year, $67 million contract, the largest in the team’s history, nearly doubling their previous high for a free agent.
“Neither I nor my agent were expecting them to offer a contract of that magnitude,” Severino said, represented by Nelson Montes de Oca of Klutch Sports Group. “It was impressive.”
The A’s, traditionally dormant in free agency, have been making waves over the past two months, engaging in contract discussions at levels previously unseen. This comes at a time when the franchise is navigating a significant transition, having moved out of Oakland after 56 years. They will play the 2025, 2026, and 2027 seasons in a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento while awaiting a new stadium in Las Vegas.
Forst, in his 26th offseason with the A’s, faces the daunting task of convincing accomplished major league players to join a team in transition, playing in a minor league stadium. Overpaying has become a necessity.
Forst’s pitch centers around a young core that the A’s believe is promising enough to build around, as evidenced by their .500 record in the second half of the season. The team also boasts a manager in Kotsay who is seen as a player magnet. Free agents have responded positively to the team’s on-field product and the playing-time opportunities it offers.
However, the temporary stadium, Sutter Health Park, a 14,000-seat venue shared with the San Francisco Giants‘ Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, presents challenges. Forst and his team have had to address concerns about amenities, seating capacity, weather, living arrangements, and notably, clubhouse commutes.
“I just think there’s a lot of unknowns,” Forst said during last week’s winter meetings in Dallas. “This is not a city that a lot of players have been to. When we were trying to bring guys to Oakland, at least it was a place that guys had been to. They’d stayed in San Francisco, they’d taken the bus over to the ballpark, they knew what the stadium looks like.”
The A’s expressed interest in Severino shortly after he declined the New York Mets’ qualifying offer on Nov. 19. They filled his agent’s inbox with PDFs leading up to their initial meeting 10 days later. One document detailed how a tweak in usage patterns could help Severino improve on a year where he went 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 182 innings for a Mets team that surprised many this past season. Another was a slide deck with floor plans, pictures, and key information about upgrades to Sutter Health Park, including a new irrigation system and a two-story clubhouse.
On Dec. 6, Severino held his introductory news conference from a hotel ballroom in downtown Sacramento. He then toured the ballpark, which was still under heavy construction.
“It’s a mess right now, but they say it’s going to be ready for the start of the season,” Severino said. “There’s still a lot of work to do, but they’re going to do everything they can to make their players comfortable.”
Severino wasn’t too concerned about playing in an area with 100-degree summer temperatures. “I’d rather it be hot than cold,” he said. He did, however, inquire about the park’s favorability to hitters. The A’s assured him it would play relatively neutral compared to other Triple-A ballparks.
Severino also asked if the A’s planned to continue adding players to support their young core, which includes Jacob Wilson, Lawrence Butler, JJ Bleday, Shea Langeliers, Tyler Soderstrom, Zack Gelof, and eventually, Nick Kurtz, the No. 4 pick in this year’s draft. He was told they would.
The Severino signing was followed by a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for another starting pitcher, Jeffrey Springs, a 32-year-old left-hander with upside when healthy. They also agreed to terms with Gio Urshela for third base. The A’s are still open to signing another starter and have expressed a desire to retain Mason Miller, their young star closer, and extend Brent Rooker, their best hitter.
- The A’s are scheduled to receive 100% of their revenue-sharing pool for the first time under the current collective bargaining agreement.
- An industry source estimated the A’s will receive approximately $70 million in revenue sharing next season.
- The A’s luxury-tax payroll is projected at $89 million, according to FanGraphs.
“That is something that we’re aware of,” Forst said of the CBA provision. “I can’t say that that is the reason why we’re spending. We’re trying to get better.”
The A’s have finished last in payroll each of the past three seasons and have been among the least willing spenders during John Fisher’s 20-year ownership. However, they have promised to increase payroll as they prepare for Las Vegas, a source of frustration for Oakland fans who have long called for greater financial commitments.
The Severino deal, which includes an opt-out after the second year, is a significant statement. It’s $1 million more than the largest contract in team history, a six-year, $66 million extension for Eric Chavez in 2004, and far exceeds their previous high in free agency, a four-year, $36 million deal for Yoenis Cespedes.
Money was likely the biggest factor in Severino’s decision, as the A’s offered more than most projected, especially considering the penalties for adding a player who declined a qualifying offer.
When Severino met with the A’s on Nov. 29, he expressed how impressed he was watching them take two of three from his Mets in August. He likened it to the 2017 team led by Matt Olson and Matt Chapman, young stars who led the A’s to three straight playoff appearances before being traded in the latest rebuild.
During the conversation, an A’s staff member mentioned a goal that resonated with Severino’s camp: to create a logistical nightmare for Major League Baseball by qualifying for the playoffs in a minor league ballpark.
In lieu of comfort and security, the A’s are offering hope and opportunity. And, in a surprising twist, money.
Originally Written by: Alden Gonzalez
