The New York Yankees All-Star ace, once believed he would spend his entire career in the Bronx. However, after a 2024 season with the New York Mets, he may now be heading to an American League East rival on a multi-year contract this winter.
Severino was a dominant force in the Yankees’ rotation from 2017-18, earning All-Star honors and finishing in the top 10 of AL Cy Young voting both years. Unfortunately, injuries marred his later seasons, and from 2020-23, he made just 42 appearances (37 starts) with the Yankees. His final season in New York was particularly rough, posting a 6.65 ERA over 89.1 innings.
After that disappointing year, Severino signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Mets in 2024 to rebuild his value. His plan seems to have worked, as he posted an 11-7 record with a solid 3.91 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 161 strikeouts in 182 innings—his most innings in a season since 2018. With this successful comeback, Severino is now primed for a multi-year deal in free agency.
One potential destination is the Toronto Blue Jays. Just Baseball’s Ryan Finkelstein predicts that Severino will sign a three-year, $51 million contract with Toronto, which could include an opt-out clause after the 2025 season.
This deal would offer Severino both the financial security of a multi-year contract and the flexibility to test the market again if he stays healthy and continues to perform well. Additionally, the Blue Jays would provide Severino with the chance to face his former team, the Yankees, which he didn’t get the opportunity to do in 2024.
