NEW YORK — From borough to borough. From The Bronx to Flushing, Queens.
The former Yankee Luis Severino has flipped sides from the pinstripes to the orange and blue, signing a one-year deal with the Mets worth $13 million in guaranteed money paired to $2 million in performance bonuses, according to several sources as news surfaced this past Wednesday evening.
The 29-year-old, who turns 30 in February, a native of Sabana de la Mar, Dominican Republic, has spent the entirety of his MLB career as a Yankee — debuting in August of 2015, and appearing in a total of 141 games (125 starts), while recording an ERA of 3.79. He missed a significant amount of time throughout his tenure in The Bronx due to injuries to his lat muscle, left oblique, as well as his right shoulder, undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020.
Severino was named the American League Starting Pitcher LatinoMVP award winner in 2018 by the Latino Sports Writers and Broadcasters Association. In 2018, he finished 19-8 in 32 outings with 220 strikeouts – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
2015-2022 Stats (seven seasons, missed 2020 due to TJ surgery)
50-29 record in 122 games, (107 starts) with 3.39 ERA, 1.12 WHIP — 709 strikeouts in 638 innings pitched
2023 Stats (one season)
4-8 record in 19 games, (18 starts) with a 6.65 ERA, 1.64 WHIP — 79 K in 89.1 innings pitched
Fun Fact: Severino has made three career starts at Citi Field, posting a 3.94 ERA across 16 innings with 20 strikeouts and eight walks.
“He could help them if he can stay healthy,” a longtime baseball scout said about the signing. “Change of scenery will clear his head.”
Luis Severino in press conference during 2022 postseason at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Staying healthy is one issue; however last season while he was able to take the mound, Severino marked a career-worse in several statistics — ERA, WHIP, and home runs allowed (23). Many MLB scouts have mentioned how he must re-track back to his mechanics from 2016-2018 by getting in better shape, and finding his command + control in the strike zone.
A one-year prove it like deal is the best option for both sides as New York is in dire need of filling out their starting pitching rotation while the two-time All Star attempts to rejuvenate himself as a reliable starter by remaining healthy for a full season and re-establishing his repertoire/arsenal, which would easily raise his free agent market value for next offseason.
Mets Projected 2024 Starting Rotation – As of November 30th, 2023
- Kodai Senga
- José Quintana
- Luis Severino
- Tylor Megill
- Joey Lucchesi
Obviously, the starting rotation above remains a work in progress for the organization until pitchers and catchers report next February, but as many say ‘you gotta start somewhere.’
Luis Severino inks a one year prove it like deal with Mets – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
So, consider this a low risk, high reward type of signing for the Mets as Severino flips sides from borough to borough.
Robert Rizzo is a journalist and editor of Latino Sports – Email: RobertRiz994@gmail.com
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