The Athletics are looking to add to their payroll this offseason. While it might not be by much, their plan to spend this offseason is noteworthy for a team that has been at the bottom of the league in total payroll.
But, even with their plan to add to their payroll, the Athletics are looking to trade starting pitcher Luis Severino just one year into his $67 million contract.
As Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report, the A's aren't simply looking to dump Severino in a trade this winter. But the $42 million remaining on his contract is causing problems for their trade plan for the disgruntled starter.
Athletics dealing with $42 million snag in Luis Severino trade talks
"At the same time, the A's are showing little interest in simply dumping right-hander Luis Severino, who is guaranteed $42 million over the next two seasons, with the second year being a player option." Rosenthal and Sammon write.
The former New York Mets and New York Yankees starter is drawing some trade interest from around the league, as Rosenthal and Sammon report, "Teams have shown interest in taking Severino's entire salary, but only if the A's do not require them to part with talent in return."
What that report means is that a team is trying to acquire Severino from the Athletics in exchange for no prospects, instead focusing entirely on salary relief.
While that might've worked for Athletics teams of the past, with the A's plan to add to their payroll, they have no reason to move on from Severino to save money. Instead, taking on some of his contract and landing a prospect or MLB player in return would be ideal.
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And instead of simply trading Severino, the Athletics would be open to holding onto him in hopes of the veteran turning things around in 2026.
Severino was not happy with pitching in Sacramento, making his feelings very clear on the subject. With his harsh home-road splits - 6.01 ERA at home and 3.02 ERA on the road - Severino has a realistic gripe with pitching in Sacramento.
But the A's aren't going to salary dump him, nor will they settle for a low-ball offer in a trade. They're expected to either keep Severino for 2026 or trade him to a team for a realistic, standard return.
Teams are willing to take on his salary, showing they believe in Severino as a pitcher. But, they don't want to give up an asset for him, instead trying to buy him off the Athletics by taking on his entire $42 million salary.
The trade market for Severino will be one of the more interesting markets to follow, as the 31-year-old is drawing plenty of trade interest, just not in the way the Athletics were hoping.
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- Athletics could shock everyone by signing this top arm in free agency, per ESPN insider
- Athletics trying to trade former Mets, Yankees $67 million starter