Oakland A’s Make History with Luis Severino Signing
In a move that has sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball, right-hander Luis Severino and the Oakland Athletics have agreed to a three-year, $67 million free-agent contract, sources told ESPN on Thursday. This deal marks the largest financial guarantee in the history of the A’s franchise, a team not exactly known for splurging in free agency.
Severino, who is coming off a strong bounce-back season, threw 182 innings with a 3.91 ERA for the New York Mets in 2023. His performance exceeded industry expectations, especially considering he was tied to a qualifying offer, which often dampens a player’s market value. But the A’s, desperate to bolster their rotation, made a bold move to secure the 30-year-old right-hander.
Breaking Down the Deal
Let’s put this into perspective: the A’s have historically been a team that pinches pennies. Their previous largest contract was a six-year, $66 million extension for Eric Chavez back in 2004. When it comes to free agents, their biggest splash was a modest three-year, $30 million deal for Billy Butler. By comparison, the $67 million commitment to Severino is a massive leap for the franchise.
So, why Severino? The A’s are banking on his ability to anchor their rotation as they navigate a challenging few years ahead. The team will be playing in a minor league stadium in Sacramento for the next three seasons before their planned move to Las Vegas. Convincing a top-tier free agent to join under these circumstances was no small feat, but the A’s made it happen by stretching their financial limits.
Severino’s Journey Back to the Top
Once considered one of the best young pitchers in baseball, Severino’s career has been a rollercoaster. He posted back-to-back All-Star seasons with the New York Yankees in 2017 and 2018, but injuries derailed his momentum. A lat strain sidelined him for most of 2019, and he missed all of 2020 and most of 2021 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. When he returned in 2022, he struggled to regain his form, leading to a one-year, $13 million prove-it deal with the Mets in 2023.
That gamble paid off. Severino showcased his electric stuff, including the fourth-hardest average fastball among qualified starters and a devastating slider. He struck out 161 batters, walked 60, and allowed 23 home runs while helping the Mets reach the National League Championship Series. His performance proved that he still has plenty left in the tank.
What This Means for the A’s
By signing Severino, the A’s are signaling that they’re ready to invest in their future. The team improved from a dismal 50-112 record in 2022 to a more respectable 69-93 in 2023, thanks in large part to their young position-player core. Now, they’re looking to take the next step by strengthening their pitching staff.
Here’s what the deal entails:
- The A’s will forfeit their third-highest pick in the 2025 draft as compensation for signing Severino, who rejected the Mets’ one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer.
- Because the Mets exceeded the competitive-balance-tax threshold last year, they will receive a compensation pick after the fourth round, worth a little more than $500,000 in draft bonus-pool money.
The $67 million guarantee aligns with the three-year, $63 million contract that Yusei Kikuchi signed with the Los Angeles Angels. It also reflects the strong market for free-agent starting pitchers this offseason. For Severino, this deal brings his career earnings to over $130 million, and he’ll have another shot at free agency at age 33, potentially setting himself up for another lucrative contract.
What’s Next?
For the A’s, this signing is about more than just adding a quality arm to their rotation. It’s a statement that they’re willing to spend to compete, even as they face uncertainty about their future home. For Severino, it’s a chance to prove that he can still be one of the game’s elite pitchers while helping to lead a young team on the rise.
Will this gamble pay off for Oakland? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the A’s just made a move that has everyone in baseball talking.
Originally Written by: Jeff Passan
