Luis Severino signed a three-year, $67 million deal with the A’s on Thursday, inking the most guaranteed money the franchise has ever handed out in a contract in their history.
Severino enjoyed one of the most impressive bounceback seasons in baseball in 2023, as the Mets took a chance on a one-year deal that paid off immensely, with Severino posting a 3.91 ERA while logging his highest innings workload since 2018.
But, despite his contributions, Evan is fine with the Mets letting Severino walk, taking the draft pick compensation after Severino rejected their qualifying offer, and adding a new bounceback candidate.
“The Mets hit on said lottery ticket, and today, they did the absolute best thing with their lottery ticket: they cashed out,” Evan said. “They got the fourth round compensatory pick...they’re not committing to 2-3 more years, and they exchanged Lus Severino for another lottery ticket in Frankie Montas.
“Frankie Montas is replacing Luis Severino...the Mets exchanged their lottery ticket in Luis Severino, got a draft pick, and got someone else in here who is gonna make $6 million a year less, is signed for one year less, and said, ‘Let’s get the most out of him now’”
Still, the Mets have rotation spots to fill, and Evan says that while he didn’t want to pay $67 million to Severino, he would be comfortable paying big money to Sean Manaea.
“My answer today is yes,” Evan said. “I think part of that is emotional. He became our ace last year...I think we formed a connection with him. I know there’s risk involved...but Sean Manaea would be the guy I am willing to pay big money and big years to.”
It’s not all emotional for Evan, as he noted Manaea’s dominance after tweaking his arm slot and his recent solid seasons elsewhere, meaning he would be comfortable dishing out a 4-5 year deal that eclipses $100 million to bring the lefty back. If Manaea signs elsewhere, he would be “very disappointed,” and wants to see the tribal chief of New York’s rotation become a mainstay for years to come.