SAN ANTONIO — The New York Mets on Monday issued qualifying offers to first baseman Pete Alonso, left-handed starting pitcher Sean Manaea and right-handed starter Luis Severino, but only the one extended to the latter warrants at least some consideration.
From the Mets’ perspective, it made sense to float a qualifying offer Severino’s way. They have multiple openings in their rotation with Manaea, Severino and Jose Quintana becoming free agents.
Also, Severino performed well in an environment that contained some familiar faces in manager Carlos Mendoza and bullpen coach Jose Rosado (both previously worked with the Yankees). Severino also spoke highly of working with Jeremy Hefner, who helped introduce changes like increased usage of a two-seamer to Severino’s arsenal. They know what they are getting from him. And even if the qualifying offer of $21.05 million would appear to be a slight overpay, their payroll will be among the highest in baseball at a minimum anyway.
Severino stayed healthy in 2024 but various injuries limited him to just 209 1/3 innings from 2019-23. That history should raise concerns about a possible reunion, but a one-year pact alleviates risk.
“He had a great year; we want him back,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said. “This is the first step in that process. We’ll see where it goes.”
But should Severino accept the offer?
That’s harder to make a case for, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 30-year-old instead look for something with more stability.
Severino expressed an affinity for playing in New York any time he was asked about the city. It’s where he has thrived — with two different clubs. After injuries halted what was a promising career with the New York Yankees, Severino bounced back with the Mets after signing a one-year deal worth $13 million. In 2024, he made 31 starts (181 innings) and had a 3.91 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 161 strikeouts.
Luis Severino tosses his first shutout since 2018! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iF5mEQBaP8
— MLB (@MLB) August 17, 2024
Given what the market looked like last year for bounce-back candidates (in addition to Severino’s deal with the Mets, Frankie Montas landed $16 million last winter for one season), Severino’s performance should net him interest from teams in the two-to-three-year range. The Athletic’s Tim Britton projected Severino to land three years, $50 million. It’s always possible, however, that the qualifying offer somewhat suppresses his market (any team that signs a player who has rejected a qualifying offer is subject to the loss of one or more draft picks).
In February, Severino turns 31 years old. Can he stay healthy again for a full year? Can he replicate the performance? This could be his best shot in free agency to land a multiyear contract. He didn’t have any interest like that from teams years ago. He may not want to have to try and prove himself yet again.
Either way, Severino doesn’t have to decide for another two weeks.
Here are additional Mets roster notes from the site of the GM Meetings.
Interest in Maton
The Mets declined a team option on Phil Maton, but Stearns said he told the right-handed reliever that he maintained interest in bringing him back. During the season, Maton spoke highly of the Mets in terms of the way they used technology and coaching to help pitchers improve. Still, Maton enters free agency as one of the more durable options with plenty of postseason experience so the 31-year-old should have no shortage of potential suitors.
Brandon Nimmo and the outfield
The Mets will explore the trade market and free agency for help in center field, Stearns said.
The Mets have an opening in center field now that Harrison Bader is a free agent. Brandon Nimmo moved from center field to left field so that the Mets could improve their defense, particularly up the middle. In 2024, Nimmo played sparingly in center field, but mostly appeared in left field. That’s expected to continue to be the case, Stearns said.
Also, Stearns mentioned Tyrone Taylor as worthy of consideration for playing time. Taylor supplanted Bader down the stretch in 2024 as the everyday center fielder, but has never been a lineup regular.
Coaching staff is back
The Mets’ entire coaching staff under manager Carlos Mendoza is expected to return next season, Stearns said.
Waiver claims and new free agents
In a slew of roster moves, the Mets made two waiver claims: right-handed pitcher Kevin Herget from the Milwaukee Brewers and infielder Luis De Los Santos from the Toronto Blue Jays. Herget pitched in just seven games last year, but allowed just two earned runs in 11 1/3 innings, flashing swing-and-miss stuff. Of his 13 games with Toronto, De Los Santos made appearances at first base, third base and left field. The 26-year-old spent his entire career in the minors before debuting with Toronto last season.
Elsewhere on the Mets’ list of transactions, left-handed pitcher Joey Lucchesi and outfielder DJ Stewart elected free agency. Both players were non-tender candidates for later in November, anyway. They do not have minor-league options remaining.
(Photo of Luis Severino: Elsa / Getty Images)
