Evaluating Yankees’ Decision to Part Ways With Luis Severino — A Big Mistake?

In the cutthroat world of Major League Baseball, bold moves carry immense stakes. Sometimes, these gambles pay off handsomely, catapulting a team to championship heights. But more often than not, they’re remembered as colossal missteps that haunt franchises for years on end. The New York Yankees’ decision to let Luis Severino walk in the 2023 offseason falls squarely into the latter category, and its reverberations are still being felt in the Bronx and beyond.

As Spring Training winds down in 2024, Severino’s resurgence with the Yankees’ crosstown rival, the New York Mets, stings with particular intensity. The once injury-plagued ace now looks like his dominant former self, fueling heated discussions about the Yankees’ fateful decision and their potential consequences… But before evaluating the rest, let’s revisit Severino’s tumultuous journey through the Bronx.

The Luis Severino Saga: A History of Brilliance and Injury

Severino’s career with the Yankees featured dazzling highs and frustrating lows—a rollercoaster trajectory punctuated by flashes of brilliance and lengthy stints on the injured list. He emerged as a flamethrowing phenom in 2015, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most fearsome young starters. His back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2017 and 2018 solidified his superstar status. During those years, his dominance was evident in his overpowering fastball, averaging 97.6 miles per hour, and a devastating line drive percentage that kept batters off-balance.

Yet, the injury bug relentlessly plagued Severino. Shoulder problems, a strained Lat muscle, and several other physical complications limited him throughout 2019, and he tragically missed the entire 2020 and 2021 seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery. While Severino showed flashes of his old form upon his return in 2022, his inconsistency and lingering health concerns worried the Yankees’ brass—still, they decided to exercise Severino’s $15 million team option for 2023.

Severino’s past brilliance flickered throughout that year, but the Yankees remained hesitant. His fateful “prove-it” season started with yet another injury—a Lat strain—that delayed his debut until May. When he finally took the mound, the results were disastrous: a 4-8 record and a dismal 7.98 ERA over his first 15 appearances. This wasn’t the ace the Yankees knew, fueling their doubts about his future with the team. This brings us to the moment the franchise parted ways with their once-prized pitcher.

The Moment of Severance

As the 2023 free agency period approached, the Yankees found themselves at a crossroads. Luis Severino’s talent was undeniable, but his inconsistency was a major concern. Despite the next strong streak where he posted a 2.49 ERA in four starts—lowering his season ERA to 6.65—injuries continued to plague him. He ultimately ended up back on the injured list, making him a risky gamble for the team—one that they didn’t want to bet on anymore.

The front office was also grappling with salary cap restrictions and competing priorities. Fans and analysts alike expressed shock that the New York Yankees, a team known for its big-ticket signings, hesitated to bring back a pitcher with Severino’s potential upside. Adding to the intrigue were whispers of philosophical differences between Severino’s camp and the Yankees’ organization. Reports suggested that the two sides disagreed on the severity of his lingering injuries and the best approach to managing them. This disconnect fueled speculation that the Yankees had lost confidence in Severino’s long-term durability.

The Yankees’ decision to ultimately pursue “more reliable” rotation options spoke volumes. While understandable from a financial and health standpoint, it also marked a stark departure from the franchise’s usual aggressive style. Was this a sign of a more conservative approach in the Bronx, or had they simply miscalculated the severity of Severino’s potential comeback?

The Luis Severino Revival: A Story of Resilience and Reinvention

Severino’s move to the New York Mets was initially viewed with skepticism. Concerns lingered about his long-term durability and the recurring injury bug. However, in a classic twist of fate, he has silenced doubters and thrived in his new environment. Reports from the Mets camp throughout the 2024 Spring Training paint a picture of a rejuvenated pitcher, one dominating on the mound.

Severino’s latest numbers speak for themselves: 14 innings pitched, only 9 hits and 2 earned runs allowed, a single walk, and an impressive 12 strikeouts. His stellar 1.29 ERA is a testament to his renewed form, leaving Mets fans ecstatic and Yankees executives with lingering questions.

“If everything goes well, it will be the first time in a long time that I’ve been healthy the whole spring training,” Luis Severino remarked Wednesday, radiating confidence. The pitcher credits his success to a revamped training regimen, a newfound mental clarity, and the support of his new organization.

“This is a guy that I think is a lot more mature. He’s been through a lot… He came in, in really good shape… And how he’s taking care of his body. The way he’s communicating with the pitching coaches, the training staff—he’s getting his work on, especially the days after he pitches. He’s having a consistent routine right now. And as for me, that’s the biggest difference,” commented Mets manager Carlos Mendoza in their postgame news conference yesterday.

Severino isn’t just putting up numbers; he is painting a masterpiece. A dominant outing against the Washington Nationals showcased a fastball that roared like a dragon, biting corners with pinpoint accuracy. Cutters humming over 93 mph, fastballs sizzling at 98—this isn’t just Spring Training anymore; this is a statement. With Severino flourishing so flawlessly across town, a different story unfolds for the Yankees’ pitching staff.

The Yankees’ Rotation: A Mixed Bag

The New York Yankees’ rotation is a hodgepodge of costly investments, unfulfilled potential, and fading veterans—a far cry from the dependable arsenal they probably envisioned. Carlos Rodón, the $162 million man, has epitomized this inconsistency, leaving fans deeply concerned. After an abysmal Spring Training outing, his exasperated comment, “Luckily those don’t count,” reveals an underlying anxiety that mirrors the fans’ own doubts. Rodón’s first year in the Bronx was disastrous, marred by injuries and wavering form.

To make matters worse, the injury bug has bitten once again. Ace Gerrit Cole’s elbow woes have sidelined him for a significant stretch, leaving a gaping void that Rodón was supposed to fill. His struggles cast a long shadow over the team’s chances.

Other options offer little solace—Nestor Cortes Jr., the surprise breakout star of 2022, saw his performance decline amidst whispers of lingering arm fatigue. Newcomer veteran Marcus Stroman, while a workhorse, doesn’t possess frontline ace capabilities. Clarke Schmidt and a cast of young prospects remain question marks, their potential untested in the harsh spotlight of the big leagues.

With Cole’s absence and Rodón’s lackluster form, desperation lingers around the Yankees’ clubhouse. The fanbase’s agitation is tangible, watching a resurgent Luis Severino after he walked away. One can’t help but wonder if the early struggles will make the Yankees’ decision to part ways with him look even more questionable in hindsight.

Hindsight is 20/20: Repercussions and Regret

In the realm of professional sports, where results are paramount, second-guessing is inevitable. As Severino continues to excel, the Yankees’ decision to let him go will undoubtedly come under ever-increasing scrutiny. Scouts who observed Severino’s remarkable Spring Training performances echo the Mets’ enthusiasm: “He looks elite once again.”

The irony here is thick. The pitcher who once wore the iconic pinstripes is now shining brightly in the rival team’s colors. This stings for the Yankees organization—and also for skeptics who initially considered the Mets’ faith in Severino a risky proposition.

For a franchise accustomed to contending for championships, the lack of a top-tier starter could prove to be a fatal flaw in their armor. If Severino leads the Mets to World Series glory, the sting will be even sharper for the Yankees—with their decision to part ways with him potentially casting a long shadow over the team’s future for this season—or, god forbid, for years to come.