The Mets won’t be getting the 2024 band again collectively.
Luis Severino is heading to Sacramento on a three-year, $67 million contract, incomes a document deal from the beleaguered franchise that may play in a minor league park for a minimum of the subsequent three seasons. It’s the biggest assured contract in A’s historical past.
Whereas the Mets had hoped to work out a deal to re-sign the free agent right-hander, finally the value grew to become greater than they had been prepared to pay. The membership will obtain a draft decide from the A’s since Severino rejected his qualifying supply.
“Thank you New York Mets fans for all the support all year long,” Severino posted on X. “Thank you Mets staff and front office for everything. I will forever be grateful for an incredible season.”
The previous Yankees ace had a bounce-back season with the Mets in 2024, going 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA over 31 begins. Making all of his begins was a victory itself given Severino’s prolonged damage historical past. After two All-Star seasons in 2017 and 2018, Severino missed most of 2019 with a shoulder damage, then underwent Tommy John surgical procedure, sidelining him for all of 2020 and most of 2021. He made solely 19 begins in 2022 and 18 in 2023, wanting like a unique pitcher.
However with the Mets, a bearded Severino took management of his well being and added a sweeper, which grew to become his put-away pitch. He sat comfortably at 95-96 MPH final season and was in a position to attain again for 98 when wanted.
In Sacramento, Severino will likely be away from the highlight. He’ll must cope with extraordinarily sizzling summers, dry climate and the small confines of a minor league ballpark, however the capital metropolis has an endearing small-town really feel that would supply a reprieve from the big-market stress Severino has confronted all through his nine-year profession.
There are not any expectations for the A’s to contend so the stress is considerably lessened. The Sacramento space treats the NBA’s Kings like, properly, kings. A veteran like Severino might obtain the identical remedy from the locals.
Nonetheless, there may be some debate as as to whether the A’s overpaid. Severino will likely be 31 subsequent season and has a prolonged damage historical past. If that is any indication as to what the beginning pitching market goes to appear like, it’s not going to be low cost. This additionally exhibits the Mets’ line of pondering on the subject of filling out the rotation.
By letting Severino go, the Mets made it clear that they’re on the lookout for pitchers who will signal short-term contracts, very similar to the one Severino signed with the Amazins’ a yr in the past for one yr at $13 million. Proper-hander Frankie Montas, a former A’s starter, not too long ago signed a two-year pact with an possibility.
Montas will likely be a undertaking, however the Mets consider their pitching coaches will be capable to maximize the worth of these kinds of pitchers. It labored final yr with Severino and Sean Manaea, nevertheless it didn’t work with right-hander Adrian Houser.
President of baseball operations David Stearns is clearly prepared to spend massive on Juan Soto, however on the subject of beginning pitchers, the Mets are nonetheless staying away from the free agent aces who’re hoping for expensive long-term contracts.
