Who would’ve thought that the A’s would make one of the biggest splashes of the MLB free agency period?
It was reported that the A’s had come to a three-year agreement with pitcher Luis Severino. The deal will be worth $67 million. Shockingly, it is the largest guaranteed contract ever given out by the franchise.
With the ‘Oakland’ part of the franchise not existing anymore, the A’s will play the next three seasons at a minor league facility in Sacramento. This is due to the team’s expected move to Las Vegas.
Owner John Fisher has drawn the ire of virtually the entire fanbase for his unwillingness to try and keep the team in the Bay Area despite its rich history. This includes a lack of investing in the team’s infrastructure whether it be the roster or enhancements to the Oakland Coliseum.
The new Vegas stadium is said to cost approximately $1.75 billion. It would be a domed stadium with roughly 33,000 seats.
Signing Severino clearly was done to demonstrate Fisher’s willingness to improve the ballclub ahead of the move. One of the better mid-level starters on the market, Severino went 11-7 with a respectable 3.91 ERA this past year with the New York Mets. At only 30 years of age, Severino still has plenty in the tank. At the very worst, the A’s could do what the A’s always do — flip him as an established player for prospects and cap relief.
While this signing won’t move any needles, it’s interesting nonetheless. The A’s fan base has been tortured for decades despite putting together some very talented teams. For those who will still follow the team as it moves away from the Bay Area, they’ve been hoping for more of a commitment from ownership to actually improve the ballclub in a tangible way
This signing may signal a true philosophical shift in that regard.
