Luis Severino is coming off a miserable season. In 19 games (18 starts), the righty had a 6.65 ERA in 89.1 innings for the Yankees. Naturally, the New York Mets looked at this performance and decided to spend $13 million on the pitcher.
Right-hander Luis Severino and the New York Mets are finalizing a one-year, $13 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Severino, 29, will join the Mets and a rotation in significant need of help after spending his eight-year career with the New York Yankees.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 29, 2023
To be fair, MLB Trade Rumors projected the 29-year-old would land a one-year $14 million contract and at one point, he had plenty of success. Last year, he had a 3.18 ERA in 102 innings and was an All-Star in 2017 and 2018.
But, on the other hand, he has a long list of injuries, from Tommy John Surgery in 2021 and a strained Lat in 2022 to a high-grade oblique strain that ended his season in September.
Additionally, this year his underlying numbers showed very little promise. He had a 6.14 FIP, a 2.3 HR/9 rate, and a career-low K% of just 18.9%. He had an xERA, xBA, Whiff%, and Hard-Hit% all in the 10th percentile or worse.
If you were to look at his Baseball Savant page, you'd see a blinding sea of blue.
So of course, Braves fans, remembering his poor start this season, quickly took to Twitter to share what they thought of the signing.
Interesting choice. The Braves usually take batting practice before the games https://t.co/7uieTRM0BS
— Scott Coleman (@scottcoleman55) November 29, 2023
I wish I had $13 million that I could just throw in a dumpster on a whim. The Mets are going to Mets, I guess. https://t.co/MkWp9fFBy1
— Eric Cole (@leprekhan) November 29, 2023
While Braves fans celebrated, especially with this Ronald Acuña Jr. homer in mind, some Mets fans did not take the signing well and they were especially not pleased with the money.
I'm sorry, did you just say $13 million? https://t.co/UBXNadjQu9
— METS MENACE ⚾🎙️🦖⚾ (@MRMENACE231) November 29, 2023
People: The Mets need depth in our starting rotation. I don’t want to watch another season of Peterson and Megill.
— Lauren (@CalmYourMitts) November 29, 2023
*Mets sign Luis Severino to a ONE year deal*
Same people: Severino, really?! 13 million dollars?! WHAT ARE COHEN AND STEARNS DOING?! pic.twitter.com/XGS1kwroYx
Not all Mets fans (and baseball fans in general) were against the signing. After all, it's hard to have a bad one-year deal, even if you do pay them $18 million for 3.1 innings.
OH LUIS SEVERINO BOUNCE BACK SZN?!? https://t.co/rXQyMywxzz
— Marc Luino (@GiraffeNeckMarc) November 29, 2023
I love this pickup for the Mets
— Jake (@JakeMLB31) November 30, 2023
Luis Severino was obviously horrible last year because his stuff and location were way down. Throughout every start his stuff got better and better but location was still bad.
In 2023 he had a 6.65 ERA but a 4.78 SIERA which is still very poor… pic.twitter.com/xGpdMxPpj6
The Mets are clearly hoping Severino can at least rebound to close to 2022 production and believe that the possibility of that happening is worth $13 million. However, looking closer at his expected stats and his actual production, it's easy to expect that won't happen. But who knows, maybe 2024 is the year all things go right for the Mets.
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