The New York Yankees did well to retain Cody Bellinger, but they still haven’t addressed their starting rotation. With Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt all not ready by opening day, they need to find replacements.
One replacement could be a homegrown Yank that flew the nest. Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicts the Yankees could make a deal with the Athletics at the deadline for two-time All-Star Luis Severino, but honestly, it could come even earlier than that.
“Perhaps Severino—who was vocal about not enjoying pitching at Sutter Health Park in his first season with the A's—will have better luck this season. If he does, that might only increase the thought of trading him…Our guess is even though the A's will be fun in 2026, they won't have the pitching to contend. Facing the prospects of losing Severino in the offseason, they'll trade him to a spot where he's more comfortable pitching at. Severino has previously had success pitching for both the Yankees and Mets, so they feel like early favorites to land him via trade in the summer,” Kelly wrote.
This past season, Severino posted a 8-11 record, a 4.54 ERA, 124 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.303 over 162 innings pitched. However, looking at his home and away splits, he posted a 2-9 record and a 6.01 ERA at the AAA Sutter Health Park, but on the road he posted a 6-2 record and a 3.04 ERA.
Currently, the Yankees only have Max Fried and Cam Schlittler healthy, so getting Severino may come earlier than the deadline. Especially if the Yanks struggle early in the first half of the season.
Hopefully, the Yankees consider making a proposal to the A’s soon, and keep it on hold as they see where the 2026 season takes them and the A’s.
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