Luis Severino and Athletics agree to $67 million, 3-year contract, AP sources say

By JANIE McCAULEY The Associated Press

FILE- New York Mets starting pitcher Luis Severino in action during Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chris Szagola]

Right-hander Luis Severino and the Athletics have agreed to a $67 million, three-year contract, two people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the agreement had not yet been announced by the team. Severino can opt out and become a free agent again after the 2026 season.

It’s the largest deal ever for the low-budget franchise, topping a $66 million contract for third baseman Eric Chavez covering 2005-10.

There was skepticism the A’s could land a pricey free agent while planning to play the next three seasons in West Sacramento, California, before they hope to move into a new stadium in Las Vegas. That planned project took a step forward Thursday when the Las Vegas Stadium Authority approved lease, non-relocation and development documents that would allow construction of a $1.75 billion stadium on the Strip.

The A’s went 69-93 for their third straight losing season in 2024, then left Oakland after 57 seasons.

Severino, who turns 31 on Feb. 20, was a free agent for the second straight offseason after going 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 182 innings during his only season with the New York Mets. Those were his best numbers since he was an All-Star for the second straight year with the New York Yankees in 2018.

He left the Yankees last offseason to sign a one-year deal with the Mets guaranteeing $13 million and earned an additional $2 million in performance bonuses.

Severino is 65-44 with a 3.81 ERA in 156 starts and 16 relief appearances for the Yankees (2015-23) and Mets.

Severino turned down a $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Mets, who will receive an extra pick after the fourth round of next July’s amateur draft. The Athletics will forfeit their third-highest selection.

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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb