When the Athletics signed starting pitcher Luis Severino to a three-year, $67 million contract during the winter, many assumed he would be the club’s ace for the foreseeable future.
Severino’s time with the A’s may be cut short since he’s openly discussed his displeasure pitching at Sutter Health Park, a minor league ballpark home to the San Francisco Giants‘ Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats.
Severino has performed poorly at home this season, with a 0-7 record and 6.79 ERA in 10 starts. On Sunday, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported it would be “a surprise” if Severino remained on the A’s past this year’s Major League Baseball trade deadline.
Why the A’s Could Trade Severino
Aside from discussing Sutter Health Park negatively, Severino’s contract with the Athletics was the largest given out in franchise history. It may be wise for the team, formerly known as the Oakland A’s, to offload the contract of a player who is visibly unhappy with the temporary location of the organization.
“But as the season progressed, his tone shifted. Severino has grown visibly frustrated with the clubâs transitional situation and minor league facilities in Sacramento, reportedly agitating team officials with repeated comments,” wrote Clutch Points’ Erin Achenbach.
“The Athletics took a gamble signing the 31-year-old, who posted a strong season with the Mets in 2024 after struggling with the Yankees in 2023. Severino had told the Mets he was willing to stay on a discounted two-year, $40 million deal, but the club declined and pursued other options.”
Severino, a two-time All-Star during his tenure with the New York Yankees from 2015 to 2023, has seen his strikeout numbers decrease over the last few years, averaging 6.1 punchouts per nine innings in 2025. He struck out a career high 230 batters in 193.1 innings in 2017 as a 23-year-old.
This season, his overall numbers include 18 starts, 104.1 innings pitched, a 5.18 ERA, and he has allowed an American League high 110 hits and 60 earned runs.
Potential Trade Suitors for Severino
The Athletics are at the bottom of the AL and AL West standings at 34-52, losing two out of three games this past weekend to the New York Yankees on the road. As poorly as Severino is performing, the A’s might pull the trigger and ship him off to a contending team in need of starting pitching depth at the back end of their rotation.
“Now, with Severino expressing discontent and struggling at home, a trade appears likely,” wrote Achenbach. “The Athletics, who are not considered playoff contenders this year, could seek to recoup value while offloading his remaining salary. Severino, once expected to be the anchor of the rotation, may be the teamâs biggest trade chip.”
MLB teams that may require rotation help include the Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros.
The Cubs lost Justin Steele for the year early in the season, and Javier Assad is yet to return from a Grade 2 oblique strain.
The Blue Jays are preparing for a chase for the AL East division title or one of the league’s three Wild Card spots, with veteran Max Scherzer recently returning from injury.
The Astros are led by Cy Young candidate Hunter Brown and lefty Framber Valdez, but lack depth behind their two top arms.
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