The New York Mets have added to their rotation during MLB free agency, signing Luis Severino away from the crosstown rival New York Yankees.
MLB’s Mark Feinsand was the first to report that a deal was near. Others have since chimed in to indicate that the contract is for $13 million over one year.
The starting rotation is definitely a need for new front office head David Stearns and Co. New York traded away high-priced veterans Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander ahead of the August MLB trade deadline. Finding more arms has been seen as key.
Whether Severino can provide this remains to be seen. The 29-year-old righty was among the best starters in the game from 2017-18 before injuries derailed his career. Severino pitched to a 33-14 record with a 3.18 ERA and 1.09 WHIP while striking out 10.5 batters per nine during that two-year span. It’s been downhill since.
- Luis Severino stats (2019-23): 13-12 record, 4.47 ERA, 1.26 WHIP
The Dominican Republic native has dealt with multiple injuries during this five-year span. He was limited to three starts in 2019 due to a rotator cuff injury before missing the entire COVID-shortened 2020 campaign after undergoing Tommy John Surgery.
This past season saw Severino post a 4-8 record with a 6.65 ERA and 1.65 WHIP for the Yankees. That came after a bounce back 2022 campaign (7-3 record, 3.18 ERA, 1.00 WHIP).
Related: Top 2023-24 MLB free agents
New York Mets hoping Luis Severino returns to form
This is a risk that owner Steve Cohen and Co. should be willing to take. That is to say, a deal that allows Severino to prove himself before hitting free agency again next winter.
Fresh off a disastrous 75-87 season, the Mets’ new brass is looking for more arms behind perceived new ace Kodai Senga.
Tylor Megill (4.70 ERA, 1.58 WHIP), David Peterson (5.03 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) and Carlos Carrasco (6.80 ERA, 1.70 WHIP) struggled big time a season ago.
In no way does this put an end to the Mets’ chase after Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They were always going to add more than one starting pitcher to the mix this winter.