Oakland Athletics Make History with Largest Ever Deal for Luis Severino
Oakland Athletics Make History with Largest Ever Deal for Luis Severino.
In the early 2000s, the Oakland Athletics were a real underdog story in Major League Baseball. With Billy Beane at the helm as general manager, the team crafted a clever roster filled with players that other teams had overlooked. They relied on data to identify undervalued players who had a knack for getting on base, leading them to clinch the AL West title three times in four years from 2000 to 2003. Those A's squads marked a significant shift in the sport, paving the way for a more analytical and data-focused approach in baseball.
Fast forward to today, and the A's aren't quite the powerhouse they used to be—and they’ve moved out of Oakland—but there might be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. After three consecutive losing seasons, they recently signed former New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino to a two-year contract, which includes a player option for a third year.
The deal comes with a $10 million signing bonus and could balloon to $67 million if he decides to stick around for that final year. If that happens, it would top the six-year, $66 million contract the A's gave to third baseman Eric Chavez back in 2004, making Severino's contract the biggest guarantee in the team's history.
The Dodgers made a huge splash last winter by signing Shohei Ohtani to a ten-year, $700 million contract, marking the biggest deal ever in MLB history. That's a serious jump!
The A's wrapped up last season well below .500, but they turned things around after July 1, finishing with a respectable 39-37 record. With a promising young core, they’re aiming to make strides in 2025, and strong starting pitching will be crucial for that goal.
Severino has faced a lot of injury setbacks during his time with the Mets and Yankees. This year marked his first full season on the mound since 2018. He played in 32 games, achieving a 3.91 ERA and racking up 161 strikeouts over 182 innings, ending with an 11-7 record. The Mets extended a qualifying offer to him, which he declined, leading the A's to give up a draft pick to bring him on board.
That lost draft pick is a worthwhile investment for the A's as they gear up for a new chapter. They’re set to leave Oakland and head to Las Vegas by the 2028 season, but for now, they’ll be playing in West Sacramento. By building a dynamic roster of young talent and making signings like Severino, they hope to ease the transition.
The Oakland Athletics' decision to sign Luis Severino to the largest deal in club history signals a renewed sense of optimism and ambition for the future. Despite recent struggles, the A's are committed to building a competitive team, and Severino’s signing brings much-needed experience and talent to their pitching rotation.
As the team prepares for a move to Las Vegas, this bold move represents a step toward a more promising future. With a mix of young talent and veteran leadership, the Athletics are positioning themselves for success, and Severino’s addition is a key piece in their rebuilding process.
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