Athletics right-hander Luis Severino will exercise his $22MM player option and forgo a return to the open market, as first reported by Mike Rodriguez of Rompiendo Sports. Severino will remain with the A’s in their final season in Sacramento before becoming a free agent in the 2027-28 offseason.
Although Severino previously expressed dissatisfaction with the facilities at Sutter Health Park, it’s no surprise that the veteran will stick around for the third and final year of his contract. Severino posted a 4.16 ERA over 12 starts and 62 2/3 innings before going on the 15-day injured list at the end of May with a strain of his shoulder capsule and subscapularis muscle. The injury proved to be season-ending, as Severino was able to resume throwing but didn’t get deep enough into his recovery process to even begin a minor league rehab assignment.
Between this shortened season and his so-so performance in 2025, Severino wouldn’t have made anywhere close to $22MM in free agency. Opting out of his deal also would’ve meant hitting the open market in offseason that is bound to be interrupted by a lockout, so it makes plenty of sense for Severino to take his guaranteed payday and focus entirely on returning to the mound in 2027 (Severino’s age-33 season).
Severino’s last stint in free agency saw him join the Athletics on a three-year, $67MM guarantee in December 2024 — the largest free agent contract in A’s franchise history. The first two years of the deal have seen Severino deliver a 4.43 ERA in 41 starts and 225 1/3 innings. He’s no longer a strikeout artist like he was at his peak with the Yankees, as Severino has struck out a below-average 19.4% of opponents with the A’s (24% in this season’s limited action). The righty’s 8.3% walk rate and 42% ground ball rate in 2025-26 are slightly better than the league average.
As one might expect, Severino’s metrics have been a lot better on the road than in Sacramento. In 20 home starts as an Athletic, he has a 5.85 ERA and has allowed 14.2% of fly balls to leave the yard. In 21 away starts, Severino has a 3.14 ERA and 6.0% HR/FB rate. He’s also held opponents to a .640 OPS on the road compared to an .823 OPS at Sutter Health Park.
With these splits in mind, it’s not out of the question that Severino could be traded this winter. The A’s explored dealing Severino at the 2025 trade deadline but were reportedly not eager to eat much of the remaining money on the right-hander’s contract. While $22MM isn’t a small sum, perhaps the A’s are more open to covering a portion of this remaining salary to help facilitate a deal. Alternatively, the A’s could deal Severino for another player on an unwanted contract.
Given how much the A’s need rotation help and how difficult it is to convince other pitchers to come to Sacramento, however, the likelier scenario is that Severino just returns as the veteran anchor of a young rotation. The A’s declined their club option on Jeffrey Springs yesterday, leaving Severino, J.T. Ginn, Jacob Lopez, and Gage Jump as the projected top four starters. Jack Perkins, Luis Morales, Luis Medina, and a host of other hurlers will be competing for the fifth spot, unless the A’s bring in another more experienced arm during the offseason.
