The Oakland Athletics are sending a clear message: despite the uncertainties surrounding their future in Oakland and their Triple-A ballpark in Sacramento, they are committed to competing. With their front office making some unexpected moves this offseason, the A’s are putting together a roster that aims to challenge for a playoff spot. The latest move? A major splash in free agency that should get fans excited.
Luis Severino, the 30-year-old right-hander and two-time All-Star, is joining the Athletics on a three-year, $67 million deal, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. This contract is not only a game-changer for the A’s on the field, but also significant historically, as it marks the largest guaranteed contract in the team’s history—surpassing the $66 million extension given to Eric Chavez in 2004. Severino, whose contract includes an opt-out clause after year two, gives Oakland a proven veteran pitcher to lead a young, promising rotation.
Severino’s Bounce-Back 2024 Season
Severino enters this deal fresh off a strong 2024 campaign with the New York Mets, where he went 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 182 innings across 31 starts. After a nightmarish 2023 season (6.65 ERA with the Yankees), Severino regained his form and played a vital role in the Mets’ surprising run to the National League Championship Series. This resurgence is a big reason why the A’s decided to commit big money to Severino, especially given his postseason experience.
Earlier this offseason, Severino rejected a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer from the New York Mets, meaning the A’s will forfeit their third-highest draft pick in 2025. But for a franchise that is trying to make a move back into relevance, the cost is worth it. The addition of Severino gives the A’s a legitimate front-end starter, something they’ve been lacking for years.
What This Means for the A’s Rotation
Severino is expected to be the anchor of a pitching staff that is still very much in development. Alongside him, the A’s will rely on the continued growth of JP Sears, who showed promise in 2024, as well as 23-year-old Joey Estes, a highly regarded prospect. With flamethrower Mason Miller in the bullpen, the Athletics could have one of the more exciting pitching staffs in the American League in 2025.
This is a major boost to a rotation that has struggled to find consistency in recent years. The combination of Severino’s experience and the potential of young arms like Sears and Estes could give Oakland a competitive edge, especially as they look to build toward a strong 2025 season.
Offense: A Solid Core, But Room to Improve
While the A’s are making moves to bolster their pitching staff, they have a solid group of position players to build around. Brent Rooker, who was one of the best sluggers in the league last season, is not going anywhere. Rooker’s impressive 2024 campaign, where he hit .293 with 39 home runs and 112 RBI, gives the A’s a reliable middle-of-the-order bat to anchor their lineup.
In addition to Rooker, outfielders Lawrence Butler and JJ Bleday, second baseman Zack Gelof, and catcher Shea Langeliers represent a core group that could contribute to a competitive offense. Still, the A’s could use some more depth—particularly a starting-caliber third baseman—if they want to keep pace with the heavy hitters of the AL West.
The Big Picture: A Commitment to Competitiveness
The decision to sign Severino to the largest contract in the team’s history speaks volumes about the A’s front office’s intentions. Despite the controversial move away from Oakland and the challenges of playing in a temporary stadium, the A’s are clearly prioritizing putting a competitive product on the field. Severino’s postseason experience, combined with the rise of young stars like Rooker and Miller, gives the team hope for a successful 2025 season.
However, the A’s are not done yet. They still have a few holes to fill—more depth in the rotation and bullpen, and a need for a starting-caliber third baseman. If the front office is willing to continue spending and make more moves to shore up the roster, Oakland could emerge as a legitimate threat in the AL West, a division that is never short on competition.
For fans of the A’s, these moves are a sign of optimism in an otherwise turbulent time. While the road ahead may still be filled with uncertainties, one thing is clear: the Athletics are not rolling over. They’re trying to win now, and Severino is a step in the right direction.
