Luis Severino Agrees to Three-Year, $67M Deal with A’s: Franchise’s Largest Contract in History
December 5 – Right-handed pitcher Luis Severino has agreed to a three-year, $67 million contract with the Oakland Athletics, making it the largest guaranteed deal in the franchise’s history, according to multiple media reports on Thursday.
Severino’s new contract reportedly includes an opt-out clause after the second year, providing him with flexibility in case he wants to test free agency again in two years. The 30-year-old pitcher declined a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer from the New York Mets in order to secure a long-term deal. His new contract with the A’s ensures a lucrative opportunity for the veteran pitcher as he looks to continue his career following a challenging stretch with injuries.
Severino is coming off a solid 2024 season with the Mets, where he posted an 11-7 record and a 3.91 ERA over 31 starts. In those outings, he accumulated 161 strikeouts across 182 innings. Despite his strong performance, the Mets were unable to make the playoffs, and Severino decided to explore a long-term commitment elsewhere.
A two-time All-Star with the New York Yankees (2017, 2018), Severino’s career has been marred by injuries, including a significant elbow issue that required Tommy John surgery in February 2020. Despite these setbacks, Severino has had a productive career, with a lifetime record of 65-44 and a 3.81 ERA in 172 appearances (156 starts) across stints with the Yankees (2015-2019, 2021-2023) and Mets.
The move to Oakland marks a new chapter for Severino as the Athletics continue their rebuild, preparing for a transition to Las Vegas. As part of this reorganization, the A’s will play their home games in Sacramento for the next three seasons before their planned relocation to Nevada.
Severino’s signing is expected to be a key part of the A’s rotation as they build for the future. The deal is a bold step for the A’s, who have been known for their cost-conscious approach but are now investing in veteran talent as they prepare for their move to Las Vegas and the increased attention that will come with it.
