Former Yankees Ace Signs Multi-Year Deal With Athletics

In a shocking turn of events, a former ace of the New York Yankees is heading west.

Luis Severino, who had pitched for the Bronx Bombers from 2015 to 2023, has signed a three-year, $67 million contract from the Athletics, a deal that includes an opt-out after the second season and a $500,000 assignment bonus if the righty is traded. Jeff Passan of ESPN was the first to report the signing.

BREAKING: Right-hander Luis Severino and the A’s are in agreement on a three-year, $67 million contract, sources tell ESPN. It is the largest guarantee in the history of the A’s franchise. And even with the qualifying offer attached, Severino got well over market expectations.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 5, 2024

Severino's contract is the largest in A's history in terms of guaranteed money; nonetheless, the Athletics are one of just two MLB franchises who have yet to give out a contract worth over $100 million in total value, with the Chicago White Sox being the other.

This is a highly surprising decision by Severino, as the 30-year-old has consistently spoken about his love of pitching in large markets, as shown by his long Yankee tenure and his 2024 season with the cross-town Mets. In sharp contrast, the A's have just played their final season in Oakland (one of the smallest markets in the league) and will be playing in a minor league stadium in Sacramento; the team is also not expected to move to Las Vegas until 2028 at the earliest, which would immediately coincide with Severino hitting the free agent market again.

The hard-throwing righty pitched in eight seasons with the Yankees, logging 727.1 innings with a 3.79 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 1.19 WHIP, and 788 strikeouts. His best seasons came in 2017 and 2018, earning All-Star selections and Cy Young votes in both seasons, finishing third in voting in the former year. 2017 saw Sevy record a 14-6 record with a 2.98 ERA, 3.07 FIP, 1.04 WHIP, and 230 strikeouts, while 2018 produced a 19-8 record with a 3.39 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 1.14 WHIP, and 220 strikeouts. Over those two seasons, Severino accumulated 11.0 fWAR.

Sadly, the 2019 season started a string of injury-plagued campaigns; Severino missed most of that season with right rotator cuff inflammation and a lat strain, while he missed all of 2020 and most of 2021 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Despite a successful 2022 season, the righty missed time with another lat strain, and an oblique injury ended a miserable 2023 campaign that saw him bottom out with a 6.65 ERA.

Fortunately, Severino enjoyed a healthy season with the Mets and pitched 182 innings, his most since 2018; he additionally logged a 3.91 ERA, 4.21 FIP, 1.24 WHIP, and 161 strikeouts against just 60 walks. Even though he was pitching for their cross-town rivals, Yankee fans were thrilled to see their former ace put together a resurgent season.

The Yankees have yet to face Severino since his departure in the 2023-24 offseason. They will have a chance to bat against their old friend when they play six games against the Athletics in 2025; the first three will be played from May 9-11 in Sacramento, while another three-game set is scheduled for June 27-29 at Yankee Stadium.