Mets Eye Severino Reunion as Trade Deadline Approaches
The New York Mets have overtaken the Philadelphia Phillies atop the National League East, holding a half-game lead over the defending division champions with less than a week until the trade deadline.
Now that they’re in first place, the Mets are expected to be buyers. And they could use the help, especially with their pitching staff.
Both the rotation and bullpen have dealt with injuries this season. An extra arm wouldn’t hurt to shore things up down the stretch.
Luis Severino finds himself listed among the top available starters by Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer, who predicts the Athletics’ veteran right-hander will end up back in New York.
“This is a two-time All-Star whose right arm remains a live wire. The Mets got a 3.91 ERA and 182.0 innings out of it in 2024, and they sure could use more pitching of that ilk amid a rotation that is beset by question marks.”
Severino’s numbers tell a different story in Oakland this year. He’s gone 4-11 with a 4.95 ERA across 22 starts for the Athletics. But that’s a far cry from his performance with the Mets last season.
The change of scenery to New York worked wonders for him in 2024. Maybe heading back could help him find that groove again.
The situations couldn’t be more different. The Athletics are well out of postseason contention, while the Mets are right in the thick of the race. Severino would provide veteran presence in a rotation that needs it, and he already knows Citi Field well from his successful stint there.
That familiarity factor isn’t nothing. He pitched well at Citi Field last year and helped guide the Mets all the way to the NLCS, where they fell just two games short against the eventual World Series champion Dodgers.
From where I’m sitting, returning to a familiar environment with a contending team could be exactly what Severino needs to rediscover his form.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Mets make Oakland an offer they can’t refuse.
