After a fantastic first couple of years with the New York Yankees, a few lost seasons due to injury, a poor return in 2023, and a successful change of scenery in a New York Mets outfit, star right-hander Luis Severino was finally granted free agency.
He did it against all odds, pitching 182 innings with a 3.91 ERA, 161 strikeouts, and 2.1 fWAR. He provided the Mets with a consistently strong pitcher with experience and a lot of energy on the mound. That is a valuable asset in today’s league.
The Mets made him a qualifying offer a few days ago, and while he has until Tuesday to officially declare his choice, all indications are that he will reject it and seek a multi-year contract.
“According to a report from Will Sammon of The Athletic… Severino “loves” playing in New York but is now expected to attempt to land a multi-year deal in free agency this winter,” MLB Trade Rumors stated.
The Mets know Severino is likely shooting for a multi-year deal
Severino has been with the Yankees since 2015, as one of a group of promising prospects who emerged in the latter half of the 2010s.
The Mets then took a risk on him, and he delivered 182 outstanding innings, which had to be as close to a perfect circumstance as possible. Despite pitching exceptionally well during the regular season, he contributed in the playoffs with a 3.24 ERA in 16.1 innings.
The Mets would love to have Severino back: after being around for nearly a decade, he is only 30 and could still have a few good years ahead of him. It all depends on the price, but the pitcher appears to be determined to take advantage of his free agency, which is just fine.