Right-hander Luis Severino is leaving New York for the West Coast. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Severino is now a member of the A’s pitching staff after reportedly signing a three-year, $67 million deal on Thursday. The deal is the largest free-agent contract in franchise history and includes a $10 million signing bonus and an opt-out clause following the 2026 season.
Athletics, Luis Severino Reach 3-year, $67M Deal
Severino is coming off a bounce-back season in which he pitched 182 innings with 161 strikeouts and a 3.91 ERA for the New York Mets. He secured a contract that exceeded industry expectations, particularly since he was associated with a qualifying offer. Free agents have been reluctant to sign with the A’s, who will play in a minor league stadium in Sacramento for the next three seasons before moving to Las Vegas.
With Severino’s deal, it surpasses their previous six-year, $66 million extension for third baseman Eric Chavez in 2004. The A’s largest prior free agent signing was three years for $30 million for Billy Butler.
Severino, 30, was regarded as one of the best young pitchers in baseball. He achieved back-to-back All-Star seasons in 2017 and 2018. In 2017, his first full season in the majors, he recorded 14 wins and 6 losses, with an impressive ERA of 2.98, while accumulating 230 strikeouts in 193 1/3 innings. This performance earned him an All-Star selection and a third-place finish in the American League Cy Young Award voting.
He missed most of 2018 due to a lat strain and was sidelined for all of 2020 and most of 2021 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Severino made his comeback in 2022 but struggled throughout the 2023 season, which led to him signing a one-year deal worth $13 million with the Mets.
Since Severino rejected the qualifying offer, the A’s will forfeit their third-highest 2025 draft pick for signing him. The Mets will receive a compensation pick after the fourth round given their competitive balance tax status.
In nine major league seasons, Severino is 65-44 with a career 3.81 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 949 strikeouts in 909 1/3 innings.
More to come.
Main Photo: © Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
