The Mets are reportedly in agreement with free agent starter Luis Severino on a one-year, $13MM guarantee. The deal also includes $2MM in performance bonuses. Severino, who is represented by Rep 1 Baseball, would receive $500K for reaching 27 starts and $750K apiece for his 29th and 31st start.
Severino, 30 in February, is a wild card of this winter’s free agent market. He once looked like one of the best pitchers in the majors but has spent the past five years either injured or ineffective or both. He made 63 starts over 2017 and 2018, throwing 384 2/3 innings with a 3.18 earned run average. He punched out 28.8% of batters faced while walking just 6.2% of them and keeping 45.8% of balls in play on the ground. FanGraphs calculated him as worth 11 wins above replacement over that two-year span, trailing just four pitchers around the league: Max Scherzer, Chris Sale, Jacob deGrom and Corey Kluber.
He and the Yankees agreed to a four-year, $40MM extension prior to 2019, with that deal also having a $15MM option for 2023. But shortly after that deal was signed, he ran into health problems. He only made three starts in the first year of that deal due to shoulder and lat injuries, then Tommy John surgery kept him off the field entirely in 2020 and for most of 2021. More lat issues came in 2022, but he was at least able to make 19 starts and log 102 innings with a 3.18 ERA, followed by a couple of playoff starts.
That relatively healthy showing was enough for the Yankees to trigger the player option for 2023. Another lat strain prevented him from making his season debut until May and then an oblique strain in September ended his season early. In the middle of those IL stints, he tossed 89 1/3 innings but with an awful 6.65 ERA. He struck out just 18.9% of opponents, a huge drop from his 27.7% rate in 2022.
Severino averaged 96.5 mph on his fastball in 2023, a bit down from his 97.6 from 2018. It’s higher than his 96.3 mph average from 2022, when he was still effective. His slider had a bigger drop, averaging 84.6 mph in this year whereas it sat 88-89 prior to his injury troubles. But he was still getting good results in 2022 with a slider that averaged 85.1 mph.
Despite the rough season, some club was going to take a chance on Severino’s track record and hope for a bounceback with better health. MLBTR predicted Severino to secure a contract of one-year and $14MM. His guarantee is just beneath that but the bonuses could help him climb to the other side.
That the Mets are the club to take the chance on Severino makes plenty of sense, with reporting from a couple of weeks ago suggesting they were interested. Last year’s struggles led them to trade Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander ahead of the deadline. Then Carlos Carrasco reached free agency and David Peterson required hip surgery that will force him to miss the start of next season.
All of that left the Mets with a 2024 rotation consisting of Kodai Senga and José Quintana in two spots. They had some candidates to fill out the back end, such as Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi and José Butto, but each of those guys can be optioned to the minors and make more sense as depth options than as part of the club’s Opening Day plans.
It’s still unclear exactly what kind of offseason the Mets are planning to have and this transaction won’t make that much clearer. The 2023 club had the highest payroll in baseball history but reporting from the deadline indicated that they may opt for a somewhat less-aggressive approach for 2024. But stepping back from unprecedented heights could still lead to plenty of activity, depending on the size of the step.
This deal is fairly modest by free agent standards but could always be paired with a larger move. For example, the Cardinals were looking for three starters this winter and started with one-year deals for Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson before a bigger three-year strike on Sonny Gray. Perhaps the Mets have a bigger move to come, having been connected to Yoshinobu Yamamoto. But time will tell if that kind of big strike is realistically in their plans.
For now, they’ve added a former star on a short-term deal. He could either help them return to contention or perhaps turn himself into a deadline trade chip. If he isn’t able to get back in good form, the Mets won’t have impacted their plans for competing in the long term.
In the short term, this seems like it will cost them more than the $13MM sticker price. According to Roster Resource, this move pushes the club’s competitive balance tax calculation to $288MM, well beyond next year’s base tax threshold of $237MM. The CBT features escalating penalties for paying in consecutive years and the Mets are set to be a third-time payor in 2024. That means they pay a 50% tax on all overages, 62% for spending over the $257MM line and 95% for going past the third line of $277MM. They could always shed salary somehow but they are already past the third line and not too far from the fourth line of $297MM, when their tax rate would jump to 110%. The tax isn’t calculated until the end of the season, so they could significantly alter all of these calculations between now and next fall, but it’s distinctly possible that they end up paying something close to double that $13MM figure that Severino will receive.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com first reported Severino was nearing agreement with the Mets. Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the sides were finalizing a one-year, $13MM deal that included $2MM in bonuses. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported the specific bonus structure.
StusFirstDollar
Yankees in shambles
User 3044878754
The Guardians offered 1 yr 12.9 MIL
THINGS LOOK PROMISING
MarlinsFanBase
Yeah, losing Severino has destroyed the Yankees. How will they ever recover!?!?
bigdaddyt
By gawd that’s Rondon’s music
richardc
Lol love the Jim Ross reference
Shadow_Banned
I’m telling you Mets are a trash organization. Throwing money at anything that sticks
alwaysgo4two
When you have money to waste, that’s what you do…overpay and waste money. 13mil on a pitcher rarely healthy. DeGrom….Verlander…..Scherzer…etc.
filihok
RE ag4t
“13mil on a pitcher rarely healthy.”
Definitely a knowledgeable baseball fan. /Sarcasm
DannyDimes2023
Guy when he’s on is damn good. Save that energy for Carlos rodon.
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
Eh, the Mets are re-tooling, I don’t see any harm in giving out one year deals to bounce back candidates. If he shows promise and they aren’t in contention they can flip him for a mid level prospect or something that may help them in their 25-26 window. He’s pitched up to a #2 starter in the not so distant past. If he sucks, oh well it’s a one year commitment and he can eat up some innings until prospects come up. Cohen isn’t exactly begging for change on 5th Avenue so the cost isn’t a huge deal. As much as I dislike the Mets I can at least see reason in the acquisition.
Captain-Judge99
Great move by the Mets, doubt they’ll regret this signing. Love Sevvy. Look for a rebound season. Comeback player of the year in 2024.
rct
Dude has pitched like 200 innings since 2019. I wouldn’t expect much.
Captain-Judge99
If he’s healthy, you should expect a lot. A big if though.
Canosucks
What are you smoking Captain; I want some
mikeyny
Been saying this every offseason for 4 years. Guy is the next Michael Pineda. Everytime he takes the mound you watch with your hand over your face peeking through your fingers. I’m glad he’s gone. I need someone new to disappoint me.
RobM
This will improve the Yankees. Removing Severino from the rotation last year would have been worth seven more wins. Incredibly, he was that bad.
In fairness, I expect some form of rebound. He still can throw hard, but he was laboring to throw hard, which hurt his command. He might be better served by being less max effort as this stage of his career to improve the location of his pitches, which is what really killed him last year. He does that, I’m sure he can give the Mets 90-110 league-average innings, maybe even slightly above league-average innings.
phenomenalajs
Well, that will be my first correct answer in the contest, I believe.
MarlinsFanBase
What was the reason? Did you say, “what would be a typical Mets move?”
Congrats on the correct answer. I think I got that one too!
TheRickestRick
I’ve got 2 right so far
But not this one
MarlinsFanBase
@TheRickestRick
You should have both of your correct ones erased because this one was easy to see coming.
😛
Halo11Fan
I got this one right. No idea why.
vtadave
ha yeah I got Nola and Heyward so far. I feel like if I had just done half going back to their previous team, a few top guys going to the Dodgers, and some dumb Mets moves, I’d win.
dbdmack
Zero for me so far. I think I slotted him as a project for the Rays. No way I thought anyone gives this guy more than 3mil a year after being the worst starter in baseball last year.
Slow day at work
I had him going to the Cardinals. I guessed correctly on Nola and I’m “ofer” since
ainteasybeingaphilsphan
Dumb question. Is there a link to tracking the contest? I can’t find it anywhere
VonPurpleHayes
His numbers will improve in the pitching haven that is Citifield, but still, more of an innings eater than quality starter.
VonPurpleHayes
I’m kidding btw. I like him when healthy.
Moleyrussell’swart
$13 million. Man these guys are overpaid
VonPurpleHayes
13 mil would be a steal for 2019 Severino.
MarlinsFanBase
@VonPurpleHayes
Oh, this was still a steal. Severino just increased the crime in NY by robbing the Mets. This is like when scammers call the elderly and trick them into sending them money. That’s what Severino just did to Cohen…except this was legal.
Blue Baron
Not overpaid based on the market for starting pitchers.
MarlinsFanBase
@Blue Baron
Oh yeah, I forgot about inflation.
Blue Baron
That and scarcity relative to demand.
Baseball dude
But it’s for the 2024 season. That was then, this is now. Totally overpayed!!
HalosHeavenJJ
Usually it is Cohen who is committing fraud and financial crimes.
Captain-Judge99
Calm down guy, it’s all 1 year. Let’s face it Cohen burps up $13 million.
BrianStrowman9
Well at least he’s spreading the wealth!
Blue Baron
@HalosHeavenJJ: No he hasn’t. And unless you have proof he did, you need to STFU so you don’t sound like a fool.
BrianStrowman9
SAC capital has the largest SEC fine in history. Steve Cohen has committed financial crimes in the past. They based a television show off his shop.
VonPurpleHayes
Multiple financial crimes. Sexual misconduct in the workplace. But he’s a hero on Queens because the Wilpons are gone.
BrianStrowman9
I get it too. Guy with a boatload of money and he’ll spend it. Hired a great guy to run the org this year too.
But for anyone to suggest he’s never committed a financial crime is laughable. I’d have to question if you know anything about Steve Cohen outside of owning the Mets.
MarlinsFanBase
@BrianStrowman9
Do you really think Stearns is great after signing Wendle to a MLB contract in November? Did anyone really think Wendle couldn’t be had in February on a MiLB deal with an invite to Spring Training?
If Stearns is great, then Wendle’s agent is clearly greater.
Fraham_
BREAKING: It’s 13 million
mvp7
He will probably injure himself signing the contract and be out the entire year.
swagsuperawesomeepiccoolman123
lol, imagine he breaks his hand while signing the contract. i could totally see that
Carlcarlson
The Kevin Nash of basebal?
Robrock30
Lol Mets This is Betances revisited. Looks like Max may have been right
VonPurpleHayes
I think this is a decent signing for a retooling year. Hope for a bounce back, but if not, meh. Whatever.
richardc
I actually like it for the Mets. Money here isn’t the issue, taking a chance on Severino could really work out for them. If he bounces back l, and enjoys his time as a Met, it’ll give then a leg up in resigning him.
If he gets injured again or proves he’s too hurt to pitch, then they just wash their hands.
Easily a win-win for both parties involved.
Buzzz Killington
Dellin Betances 2.0 or bounce back?
tiger9
Good luck with that….but when you bleed money like Cohen….who gives a poop.
Rishi
I like gambling on upside in a contract. To an extent. It wouldn’t at all be surprising if he put up #3 starter type numbers and he could be even better though one wouldn’t bet on it. A 2022 Carlos Carrasco type season is a decent bet. Haven’t heard the terms yet tho
Rishi
Saw the terms. I like it. I expected maybe a two year deal but it makes sense from both sides. Could reenter market and get much more after 24′.
JackStrawb
Odd, in that it doesn’t suggest much regarding way the Mets are leaning this offseason, though if anything it’s a data point towards “we’re not contending!”
The Mets rate to get roughly 45 starts from Senga and Quintana, combined, and their #6 starters don’t have anything in the way of durability (plus, they recently lost their most durable #6, Peterson, for at least two months of 2024), so you’d figure they’d aim for certainty w/ their SP dollars if they were aiming at 85 wins. Instead, with Severino they did just the opposite.
This smells a bit like a team that isn’t going to be spending much on top of what they already have committed, and are willing to risk embarrassment in order to gamble on success from Severino, Baty, Vientos, and Mauricio, all guys who stumbled, tripped, and sprawled in 2023. —I wonder which of the last three is going to be stuck with LF in ST… or are they going to shoot themselves in the foot with Mauricio at 2B, Baty at 3B, Vientos DH’ing, and McNeil stuck out in LF where his bat won’t play?
KennyF’nPowers
Agree. Stearns already dumpster diving in the Yankees backyard. Cohen needs to remind him that he’s the owner now and not the Wilpons. Also that he works for the Mets not the Brewers. Not impressed.
TrillionaireTeamOperator
Everybody saw this coming from a mile away.
MarlinsFanBase
This move did not affect the standings of the Free Agent Prediction Contest. All it did was break many people into getting their first prediction right. Everyone picked this one!
Slow day at work
I didn’t. I thought Severino would try to stay out of NY and choose a relatively safer environment like the Brewers or Cardinals (I picked the Cardinals)
Champ world champion Texas Rangers
What is steal for the Mets? I would’ve gave him one year 20 million and been fine with it.
Fernando P
So a 7M raise (5M if he hits all the bonuses) for a season where Sevy was one of the worse pitchers in the AL?
reno24
Where can I see what the MLBTR crew predicted for players/salaries?
TrillionaireTeamOperator
They projected 1 year/$14M and the Mets
phenomenalajs
Actually none of them predicted the Mets. They picked Tigers, Brewers and White Sox.
mlb1225
They listed their predictions in their top 50 free agent list. They had Sevy at 1 year/$14 mil, so they were pretty close.
mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/2023-24-top-50-free-age…
whosehighpitch
Cry Young coming
Flanster
Bounceback candidate,if healthy
aroid95
Betances was never a dominant starter. I don’t like the comp. Severino is just one year removed from looking very good when healthy, and he’s only 30. I wouldn’t bet on it, but if they can get 100 good innings from him I’d call it a win. If it doesn’t work out it’s not really a big deal for the Mets at 1/$13m.
mlb1225
Betances was a once dominant Yankees pitcher (albiet a reliever) who was only one year removed from a 2.70 ERA, 2.42 FIP, and 1.05 WHIP when the Mets signed him, and was only 32. I agree it’s not a one-for-one comparrison, but I get why people are drawing parallels.
marcher18
It’s a really juvenile comp. So many different factors at play but it’s a Yankee signing with the Mets so it’s the same guys
JackStrawb
@aroid95 Agreed up to a point. If it doesn’t work out it leaves the Mets in brutal shape.
With just Senga and Quintana (who averaged 85 ip / year fr 2020-23 even pro rating 2020) on hand they’re missing something like 115 starts. Maybe they get another, 30 bearable MLB starts from the crew of Megill, Butto, Lucchesi, and Peterson, leaving them three durable starting pitchers short of a full deck in the event ‘it doesn’t work out’ with Severino.
It’s a strange move for a team that needs certainty from its starting pitching acquisitions. You might have thought Gibson was more their kind of guy, at least to lock down for the back of the rotation.
BaloniusFunk
Maybe the point is that there is no certainty from starting pitching? Though, $13M is not a small sum of dough
aroid95
This could leave a lot of teams in brutal shape, agreed. Not the Mets. They’re still in play to sign Yamamoto and even another from the second tier of Stroman/E-Rod/Flaherty etc. They’re not going into the season looking for Severino to be their #3. At least I would hope not. That would be strange.
JackStrawb
They’d still be missing a bullpen, half a lineup, a bench, and 40 starts even with LS, YY, and ER. They’re not going near a $400m payroll in 2024.
conquerbeard
JackStrawb – I suppose they should just go ahead and pass on 2024 then, huh? They can’t spend $400m again, so, clearly, it’s time to fold up shop. Good lord.
A_Cespedes_For_The_Rest_Of_Us
The Mets 100% will be leaving openings in their lineup to evaluate the plethora of high upside MLB ready prospects in AA and AAA. In addition to Baty and Mauricio who will be given an opportunity to develop, they have Gilbert, Acuna and Jett Williams, all of whom will likely be up sometime in the 2nd half… It’s not totally impossible that we get a Ryan Clifford debut as well
And they also have 3-5 viable major league starting pitching prospects that will be in AAA or above in Vasil, Tidwell, Scott, Stuart, Hamel, some of whom will pick up those missing starts this season (particularly Vasil)
The goal is absolutely to make the playoffs as a wc team, but it’s also to enter into next offseason w a clear understanding of what they have and what their needs are going into 2025,when their payroll tax commitments drop to about 130-145 k depending on the JV option
JackStrawb
@conquerbeard Yes, because that’s what I wrote. Sigh. You read funny, son.
JackStrawb
@Out_of_Line 2 The Mets currently have no MLB ready prospects in AA or AAA.. They have no pitchers in AA with more than 12 starts who were actually impressive, and literally no one in AAA who did anything at all. Everyone’s at least a year away unless you want to do to them what the Mets did to Peterson and Megill, neither of whom had any track record of success at the upper levels before they were brought up to stay and as a result are just long relievers who couldn’t even handle a 5-inning workload. No one who ended the season in the minors is going to contribute meaningfully in the majors in 2024. No one. You don’t even know your own team, my friend.
And none of their young guys in MLB looked anything but completely overmatched—even Alvarez, who for the last four months couldn’t hit .200 or SLG .400, looked awful for most of the year.
I don’t know which team you’re watching, but it’s not the Mets.
Old York
I thought he would sign with the White Sox.
Another 0-for-1.
MarlinsFanBase
OK, I think you’re the only one that picked him going somewhere other than the Mets.
The thought process was simple.
Either, “What would be a typical Mets move?” or “Who’s dumb enough to overpay for Severino?”
Travis’ Wood
Marlins fan you have no clue what you’re talking about lol
MarlinsFanBase
Of course. Guessing correctly definitely shows one has no clue what he’s talking about.
Travis’ Wood
Congrats on making some lucky guess nobody cares about? Even your admitted logic behind your guess makes absolutely zero sense.
mookie1
@MFB Let’s hear more about Nimmo being a 4th outfielder, or are you ready to concede that he’s a good player?
Travis’ Wood
lol not surprised this clown had an absurd take like that
MarlinsFanBase
@mookie1 Yep, of course you have waited until he had a career year to yap.
I still take Harold Ramirez over him.
mookie1
I’ve consistently said the same thing to you about Nimmo. Simply that he’s a good player and almost any team would want him as a starter.
Travis’ Wood
Harold Ramirez over Nimmo LOL
MarlinsFanBase
@mookie1 Yeah, it showed in his short line of interested teams during his free agency.
swagsuperawesomeepiccoolman123
i had the brewers but i totally forgot the fact that Stearns was the gm of the Mets, If I considered that when I selected my picks, i would’ve picked the mets
jk2me1310
has anyone mentioned this is like when they signed betances yet?
mrmackey
Wow 13 million? Very surprised it’s not at a lower base with incentives.
He’s hurt literally every single season. Best case is he rediscovers himself and manages to make 15 or so starts.
Ma4170
As a met fan i was hoping this wouldnt happen, but it did. Would love a reversion to prior form, but don’t anticipate it at all sadly.
Saint Nick
Lmao…classic Mets blunder.
Travis’ Wood
It’s a 1 year deal for the same rate as Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson…. And Severino is 6 years younger with significantly more upside. In what universe is this a blunder??
stymeedone
Well, Gibson and Lynn will provide innings. Severino has more upside, but a much lower floor.
Travis’ Wood
Lower floor for sure. But not much lower considering how bad Lynn and Gibson can be. Eating innings while pitching poorly isn’t very valuable…
Canosucks
The Universe we all live in… stupid move
Franco27
Imagine making 13m and making 10 starts.
Travis’ Wood
Imagine being terrible like Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson and getting $12 mil. Give me Severino all day over those bums
Franco27
That 6.65 ERA and 89 innings should be a real find.
Travis’ Wood
Yeah, nobody is projecting him to be the exact same pitcher in 2024 as he was in 2023. Are you seriously that dense? They’re paying him for future performance….. try keeping up
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
Gibson had 17 quality starts that’s 2 years of seve
Travis’ Wood
QS is a dumb stat, Gibson was bad last year and has been bad for a while. That’s not even up for debate
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
15 wins is a dumb stat too? You are pure comedy,
Travis’ Wood
Wins??? Are you serious? Are we in 1985?
stymeedone
17 QS out of 33 starts for Gibson is nothing to brag on.
swagsuperawesomeepiccoolman123
buddy,if gibson was actually good he would have a lot more than 15 wins…. The orioles offense did the heavy lifting. You can have a pitcher with a 5 era and still have a lot of wins just because the offense is good.
Tom the ray fan
1 year deal, no harm no foul either way. But odds are he’ll get hurt again
Simm
This is one of those guys and deal that will look great or a big nothing burger because he will be hurt.
If you can afford it and the Mets can think this is worth the risk.
AgentF
I would have rather bet on someone like Lynn to bounce back on a one year deal than Severino. At least Lynn is durable. Still, not much of a commitment and there is some upside. Feels kind of meh.
Simm
Idk, Lynn is a better bet to pitch more innings. I just don’t think he has the same
Upsides.
Rick Wilkins
You can’t pitch more innings when you’ve already given up 6 ER and 3 dingers by the 4th inning. Lynn is done. You know what he is, and he’ll be exactly that. With Severino, you might have a healthy guy that can return to form. Maybe flip at the deadline, or keep him around if he gets right. Dude is still young. 3 million more for Sevy over Lynn is a no brainer. Hilarious to me that the Cardinals lost a 41 year old Wainwright and his 7 something ERA, and replaced him with Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, who were both bad last year, Lynn exceptionally bad. While Gray is pretty good, you now employ 3/5 of the pitchers who allowed the most hits in baseball last year (Lynn, Gibson, and Mikolas). 4/5 rotation pieces are over 34 years old. Paired with an aging Goldy/Arenado/Contreras trio making almost 75 million next year, this team is heading for big trouble……and I love it.
AgentF
If you’re assuming that Lynn will be a guy with an ERA north of 5 because he was bad on a horrible White Sox team with massive internal problems (which he openly admitted and was confirmed by multiple others), that’s kind of jumping to conclusions. He was immediately better when he left for LA. I used Lynn as a comparison as it was a 1 year deal for about the same amount. He just comes with less injury risk and still has the track record. Even if the Mets are not in contention and want to move a guy at the deadline, you’re not going to get anything in return for a guy on a one year deal who is sitting on the IL.
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
If 17 quality starts is bad what exactly is good??
stymeedone
Lynn was immediately better with LAD, but then went back to his old self and sucked during the rest of his stay.
stymeedone
Gotta look at it in context. 17 of 20 starts is fantastic. When its 17 of 33, it doesn’t say much. A QS could be 3 runs in 6 innings. 16 of his starts weren’t even that good.
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
Snell only had 3 more qs with 20. Does he suck too? #clown
Travis’ Wood
Lol yeah good luck with washed up, homer prone, 36 year old Lance Lynn bouncing back. Give me the guy in his prime with great stuff, even if he’s more an injury risk. At least he’s not a guarantee to let up multiple homers every start
AgentF
He already did kind of bounce back a bit in LA after leaving that toxic clubhouse in Chicago… and for as bad as he was last year, he was still better than Severino.
Travis’ Wood
Lol Lynn was worse in LA than in Chicago what are you talking about??? Look past his ERA dude he was even worse after the trade…
Travis’ Wood
Actually hilarious you think Lynn was better after the trade lol
AgentF
Shaved 2 runs off his ERA, his WHIP was down to 1.28, hard hit rate down to career avg, OPS down, h/9 down, BB/9 down, WAR up. Seems to me that you’re only looking at his HR against and strikeouts. those are pretty much the only areas that didn’t improve. LA is better, obviously, but dude still went 7-2 after they picked him up. It’s “hilarious” that you have not offered a single thing to support your argument.
AgentF
In 9 of his 11 starts he allowed 3 ER or less. Literally only had two bad starts lol.
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
That nearly 7era has him ready for the HOF haha bring back Gooden too genius
Travis’ Wood
Dude. You’re looking at terrible stats. His WAR was not up unless you’re using bWAR which is significantly worse than fWAR… his fWAR was WAY down. Stats like WHIP, ERA and h/9 are beyond fluky in small samples…. Gotta look at Ks (way down) BBs (basically the same) and HR (basically the same). There’s a reason both his FIP and xFIP were SIGNIFICANTLY worse after the trade…. Cause he pitched significantly worse. The fact that you’re even including wins and losses is comical. You’re just wrong man it’s ok to admit it
Travis’ Wood
Lol he pitched well at home vs garbage offenses like the A’s, Brewers and Rockies. Otherwise he was mediocre or downright terrible. Maybe you forgot to include his great playoff start too. Lol
AgentF
Ah, I understand… Having a high strikeout rate is more important than going deep in games and keeping the other team from scoring. Excellent reasoning. Bye.
Travis’ Wood
Lol you clearly don’t understand pitching or baseball analysis AT ALL. K rate matters significantly more than ERA especially in small samples… That’s why stats like FIP and xFIP even exist…. This is basic stuff, not new information, and well known to anyone who follows baseball. Preventing runs is dependent on the entire team not just the pitcher. Again this is obvious to anyone who follows the game at all
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
From a guy that doesn’t count quality starts or wins. Enjoy those flavored windows
Travis’ Wood
Why tf would anyone with a functioning brain care about wins and quality starts?? You’re either 7 years old or stuck in 1985…
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
Homer prone? Gibson allowed 23: Nola giolito and Gilbert all 32 each you talk trash NY
Travis’ Wood
Is this supposed to be English?
stymeedone
FIP and xFIP are theoretical. As long as there are fielders, it discounts pitchers who actually pitch. It also promotes using more pitches per batter, instead of pitching to contact, and going deeper into games.
Travis’ Wood
And yet both are still significantly better and more accurate stats to use than ERA. Especially in short samples. Who cares if it’s theoretical? The inputs are all still based on actual data… of course some pitchers will outperform or underperform their FIP but overall it will be incredibly accurate. Not sure why you say it promotes more pitches per batter, there’s absolutely zero evidence of that. Any out helps your FIP so not sure why you think that’s the case. Pitchers don’t pitch to contact anymore because it’s a less effective strategy than striking people out. Has literally nothing to do with FIP
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
Course not, seve isn’t in long enough genius
Neuf
Looks like I will become a fan of Luis✌️❤️
jerseystrongsports
As a Yankee fan. Nice taking a chance on the upside. But….once injuries start, will be tough keeping I told you so. Or he can make thru year, sign extension and pitch a month a year.
Dorothy_Mantooth
Who pitches more innings next year, Severino or Rodon?
YankeesBleacherCreature
Good luck Mets fans!
10centBeerNight
Solid gamble. I see some of the Long Island brigade already crying out for Stearns head on a stick. Some things never change. But rest easy, Joey Buttafuocos – NYM will be in on many top names. And a trade or 2. PHI showed you can make FA work
JackStrawb
The difference b/t the Mets and Philly is that Philly was close enough to make FA work, while the Mets will have to go to $400m this offseason (500m, including tax penalties) even just to chase the Phillies, never mind the Braves.
It’s difficult to believe that Severino is the part of any plan whereby the Mets aim to contend, or any plan whereby the Mets aim to keep things interesting for their fans until 2025 dawns. It’s just… odd, and it sent payroll to $288.1m, before taxes.
Canosucks
Yeah some things never change; no matter who owns and runs the Mets they still make stupid moves like this Yankee garbage
mad1
Lol, didn’t think Stearns would have to dumpster dive with big mighty Mets.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Mets make a pretty good deal for once. Worth the gamble I’d say. Glad the Yankees didn’t sign him but not like it matters with a stupid “balanced” schedule anyway.
VonPurpleHayes
@Cora Forgive my ignorance, but I lost you. What do you mean by the balanced schedule comment? I’m not a fan of it either, but how does that relate to the Yankees signing him? I’m not trying to be snippy or anything, I’m just generally curious what you meant.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
We play our own division rivals less with the balanced schedule. It spreads out the games, so if Severino were on the Yankees, we would see him less. But we would still probably see him because we play the Mets at some point. If there weren’t a balanced schedule, Severino could be our worst nightmare.
I feel like the divisions are broken.
VonPurpleHayes
Oh. Speaking from the perspective of a Yankees rival? I get it. Thanks! Apologies for my ignorance.
killswitch
This is like a 10 million dollar overpayment lol
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Not for good pitching. Good pitching is rare, you pay to have it even if there are risks.
It’s not like they signed Emilio Pagan. They signed a guy, who when healthy, can win games.
slider32
Pitching is outlier, Sevy could be a good #3 if he can get a third pitch and stay healthy!
JackStrawb
@slider32 “A good #3”???
His ERA and FIP from 2017-2022 were lower than Gerritt Cole’s.
CravenMoorehead
Best of luck to Sevy, I honestly hope he does well with his new club across town. He doesn’t even have to relocate and he gets along great with Carlos Mendoza.
MorriesWigs
Low risk (For Cohen), High Reward
Mazinger31
As a Yankee fan, I wish Sevy the best. Dude had so much promise early on in his career, but injuries really derailed it. There was that bright moment in 2022 where I thought he was back. Sadly, 2023 wasn’t just injury-plagued but straight up terrible. I would have liked him to have at least finished his career in pinstripes on a high note.
SheaGoodbye
Can’t say I love taking on a high-risk, high-reward type of starter with so many holes in the rotation and bullpen. This feels like a better opportunity for a club already pretty flush with pitching to take a swing or, conversely, one without enough upside looking to get more of a ceiling.
With that said, the velocity is still good, the price is reasonable (he doesn’t need to pitch a full season provided he is effective enough), and Cohen’s money means they will hopefully be able to plug most of those holes regardless. Will have to revisit this signing once the rest of the dominoes fall.
Trotski
Not sure why people are looking at this first move like it’s the last move. Mets need 3 starters and they can’t all be $25M a year multi year deals. Good to get one in the fold, now go get me Yamamoto!
VonPurpleHayes
I can’t imagine Bauer signing a 1 year 13 mil deal, even with all the baggage.
@DaOldDerbyBastard
Boo Bauer.
Chris G.
Bauer with the NY media would be a disaster waiting to happen.
Roll
id actually rather the Mets sign Snell for 13M dollars. i think the odds are just about as good as the mets signing bauer for 13.
A'sfaninLondonUK
@Chris…
Couldn’t agree more, but it might be funny to watch the explosion…
Birds of a feather – the arguable one criminal & another… Cohen & Bauer
920kodiak
Exactly. This doesn’t make or break the Mets, either way. It’s a one year deal. I think Stevie Cohen’s beautiful money can withstand it, if it blows up.
BennyGiant
Got atleast one right. I think Jakob Junis is the only other Top 50 I had going there.
jdgoat
Bro got a raise? Free agency wilding
Trotski
Well only 26-28 teams need starting pitching.
KnicksFanCavsFan
I can’t understand why the Yankees let him walk unless something in his medical makes them think he won’t be absorbable for 2023. They have such lousy pitching and so many injury concerns a 1 year incentive based deal would’ve been worth it
Dorothy_Mantooth
@Knicks Fan – I believe Seve is a free agent this year. NY did pick up his option for 2023 but he was hurt most of that season. I’m quite sure the Yankees did not have another option to keep him for 2024, but correct me if I am wrong.
YankeesBleacherCreature
They were just ready to move on bc he didn’t help get the team anywhere which is understandable. They also gave him a chance exercising his ’23 $15MM option.
SupremeZeus
Memory, all alone in the moonlight
I can dream of the old days
Life was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again
dbdmack
Did he really tear a tendon in his pitching finger while signing the contract? What a mook move by the Mets. Baffling.
rct
Seems like a lot of money but it’s only one year. Don’t think this improves the team much. Maybe he bounces back, maybe this turns into a nothing deal like the Dodgers getting Syndergaard last year.
VonPurpleHayes
13 mil seems like market price for a starter right now, even a bounce back candidate. This certainly won’t hurt the Mets. It may not help them at all, but there is potential there.
mlbnyyfan
Good luck in Queens Sevy. You never lived up to your expectations.
brooklyn62
With pitching at a premium throughout MLB, this 1 year deal is worth the gamble.
Braves Butt-Head
It’s a one year deal if he pitches like he did a few years ago then It’s genius and you could tender him and get a draft pick in 2025. And if he’s a bust then no biggie because it’s a one year deal.
Canosucks
it is a biggie because when he loses there goes your season.
Throw away a season on ex Yankee garbage
I can only hope he gets hurt in spring training and never makes it out of the gate all season
JackStrawb
@Canosucks It is odd. The Mets needed 3 starting pitchers. They signed Severino. They still need 3 starting pitchers.
CP77
Good bounceback candidate.
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
All the spanker clowns bashing Gibson can’t even do a Google search Gibson had 17 quality starts and 16 wins last year and is a bargain. I can see why only oversized rats like NY
Rick Wilkins
I gave him a Google. Looked over the career body of work. I stand by my comments. And I’m not from NY. Gonna be a long year in the Lou, clown.
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
You also dismissed 17 qs and 15 wins. I see why spankee fans are the worst
Roll
you also dismissed in all but 3 of those 15 wins the team scored 5 or more runs. All the games under 5 runs scored the team lost with him pitching and he gave up the majority of the runs.
Would you say that kyle gibson with his 15 wins is better than degrom when he only won 10 games but won the cy young with a less than 2.00 ERA over 200 innings and 250 strikeouts? I mean he did have 15 wins right so he has to be better.
Also how are you defining QS? as i remember it was 7 innings pitched and 2 or less runs or has that changed. He only pitched 7 innings only about a half dozen times with about half of those being 2 or less.
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
Even your screen name is ny fan boy. Sad
Chris G.
Wins and QS are terrible stats and very contextual. They reflect the team more than the pitcher. Gibson has been 7% below league average for his entire career with a 93 ERA+. Aside from the 1st half of the 2021 season with the Rangers, he’s actually been pretty bad. He was 18% below league avg in the 2nd half with the Phillies, 21% below league average in 2022 and 13% below avg last season. WAA also has him at 8% below league avg each of the past two seasons. His WHIP is very high, his K/BB rate and %’s are bad. He averages over a homer a game. Severino wasn’t good last season but it was also a small sample size. Other than that he’s been pretty dominant throughout the rest of his career. His ERA+ each season since 2017 are: 152, 124, 304, N/A, 124, 65. Very dominant (when healthy) going into last season. Whereas Gibson has basically been below average his entire career. His career WAA is also -0.04. The big question is just Severino’s health. But it’s worth the gamble and doesn’t hurt at all on a one year deal.
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
When healthy? Obviously healthy is contextual? Gibson had more quality starts than Nola last year. Nola gave up 4 + runs in half his starts. Gibson is no ace but MUCH better than you claim
Vince Coleman'sTarpMachine
Gibson allowed 23 hr Nola giolito and Gilbert 32 each so contextual is lol
Camden453
They want prospects at the deadline. That’s all this is
troutfishing
Good grief this makes it look like Maeda go hosed.
Ranger Danger19
Only business in the country besides politics where you can suck at your job and still get rich
Slow day at work
I was going to say prostitution, but I guess it would be redundant since you already wrote politics
YankeesBleacherCreature
The barrier to entry for pro sports is much, much higher than politics where one actually needs talent regardless of who you know or how much a$$-kissing you do.
Slow day at work
I’m a Braves fan and I don’t see this as a bad pick up for the Mets. They’re already kinda punting 2024, and 13M for Severino doesn’t seem that outlandish. If it works out and the Mets are out of contention, they could even flip him. If he crashes and burns, no big loss. I’m really surprised at how many Mets fans are upset about this signing.
VonPurpleHayes
I think it’s because many Mets fans are still holding out hope that Cohen goes all-in again. And to be honest, he still might. Who knows with that guy? I do agree with your take though. Not a bad move at all.
Canosucks
Really a Braves fan is surprised by another stupid Mets move; Braves fan says it all.
They win and Mets lose. Stupid deal for Yankee garbage!
IAmDavidStearns
We believe in Luis. He has a proven ability to excel at the highest level and we think he’ll be a valuable asset to our organization going forward. #YouGottaBelieve
Canosucks
Except he hasn’t done it in over a half a decade! Terrible Freaken move!
Yeah the Yankees are stupid; they just let this garbage walk!
When are people going to stop paying and looking for Yesterday!!
ArianaGrandSlam
Can’t say it’s a great move for a non-contending team next year. What they really need is a pitcher/pitchers who can earn innings (ideally around 200) with a low salary because the ERA can be high since they’re not contending. Severino doesn’t fit in that category except that of the high ERA.
Attystephenadams
This is a solid no brainer for the Mets. Very little risk and the potential for high to medium reward.
Roll
I dont love the deal but i dont hate it either.
Sure they could have tried to get him for 10M which everyone seems to say was the right price, but you have about 10 teams probably willing to pay him that. Throw him 2 or 3 mil more and you get him with no fuss no muss. Slight over pay but now you freed up time and potentially filled a spot at the back end of the rotation that has major upside.
ih8tepaperstraws
This signing makes the Cardinals signing of both Gibson and Lynn look even more stupid. One of the sure, but the other instead of the upside if Severino on a one year prove it deal is insane. Just goes to show Mo values his man crushes more than winning. Gibson and Lynn keep you in games and you how your offense can out score the others. At their age that’s all you can hope for. Severino still has the potential to consistently shut down other teams where only need you to score 3 or less runs to win the game.one year at $13MM is worth betting on that potential if you want to win rather than just find guys to eat innings so you can get through the year.
Melchez17
I would have sat on the IL for half that.
THEY LIVE!!!
Severino should cover about 20 innings this year. This and signing Wendle obviously means Cohen is going all in on Ohtani & Yamamoto ❓
LOL‼️
Canosucks
Truly painful as a long time Mets fan… the more things change the more they stay the same… stupid freaken moves so painful
Lowly Rodriguez and now Suck ASS Severino
I just want to Sever my arteries!
Any Yankee hand me down castaway including manager with NO experience has to be good Right?
Cohen's _Wallet
We have so many experts on this forum I wonder why more aren’t in MLB in some form or another. Oh no I’ve said too much, I haven’t said enough.
Canosucks
Best thing for the Mets if he gets hurt in spring training and never makes the field
Non Roster Invitee
Mets need to sign Stephen Moskowitz.
websoulsurfer
A lot more money than I would have spent on a bounce back candidate that might be good enough to be a #5 on a contender if all goes well.
dave frost nhlpa
He should be a closer or 8th inning set up.
Jon M
“That relatively healthy showing was enough for the Yankees to trigger the player option for 2023.”
I think you mean club option.
mikeyny
As always the Mets are dumpster diving in Yankees garbage bin. Why does ownership set you guys up like this all the time.
LambchoP
Starting pitching is coming off the board pretty quickly now, Twins better pounce if they plan on getting a starter to pair with Lopez…. They don’t have nearly enough pitching to compete at the same level as 2023…:(
Chris from NJ
I see 7 to 10 starts,about a 5 and a half era and more doom and gloom. I guess I’ll look at him as a lottery ticket and hope he can find it again but it’s been gone for so long I don’t know if it’s still there. We’ll see. Fastball, Slider guy without his slider has to adapt and Sevy hasn’t. Always been a pure stuff guy.
Casey Higgins
It’s a one year deal. Trust in uncle Stevie.
Frankie16
This is a signing to save money for this Japanese pitcher. Instead of giving someone a 5 yr deal it’s one year of a guy with potential and upside. Coming to a new league, new pitching coach and if he stays healthy he could be a steal as our 5th starter. Look for them to make a trade also for a starter for the middle of the rotation. Their offense will be fine and the young kids are more than likely going to improve after getting some experience. They really need to add a few pieces to the bullpen to contend this year. The Mets are only 1 year removed from 101 win season. Either way our farm system with the moves they made is pretty stacked and has major potential coming in the next year or 2.