Severino heads across New York to sign with Mets

*Photo from Pinstripe Alley*

   This free agent doesn't have to relocate. The New York Mets and RHP Luis Severino have agreed to a one year, $13 million contract, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Mets have confirmed the deal.

   After hitting free agency, Severino is traveling to the other side of the Subway Series to join the Mets as they search for help in the rotation. Health has largely been an issue in recent years for Severino, but he still remains one of baseball's hardest throwing pitchers, sitting in the 88th percentile in fastball velocity, according to Baseball Savant.

   Last season, Severino was limited by injury and poor performance with the New York Yankees. He posted a 6.65 ERA, 6.14 FIP, and 1.646 WHIP, allowing an average of 11.4 hits per 9 innings and 2.3 home runs per 9, making 18 starts and one relief outing while throwing 89 1/3 innings.

   Severino burst onto the scene in 2017 and 2018 with a pair of All-Star game appearances. In 2019, he began to get bit by the injury bug thanks to a rotator cuff strain that limited him to just 3 starts. He underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2020 that kept him out of that year and for all but 4 appearances out of the bullpen in 2021.

   In 2022 and 2023, Severino was limited to 19 games in both seasons due to lat and oblique injuries. He posted a 3.18 ERA and 1.000 WHIP in 2022 before posting career lows in most key pitching stats in 2023, including ERA, FIP, WHIP, home runs and hits per 9.

   Severino has spent his entire big league career with the Yankees, making his debut in the second half of 2015. He has a 3.79 ERA, 3.73 FIP, and 1.185 WHIP to his name, averaging 9.8 strikeouts per 9 over 727 1/3 innings, 125 starts, and 141 total appearances. He also has a 5.15 ERA and 1.511 WHIP over 10 starts, one relief appearance, and 43 2/3 innings in the playoffs.

   The Mets now have 3 starting pitchers with a guaranteed contract entering 2024, with Severino being the 3rd. Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana are projected to top the Mets rotation, with Severino set to take a middle of the rotation spot.