The Chicago Cubs are actively exploring options to strengthen their pitching roster, with Luis Severino emerging as a key figure in these discussions. The Athletics’ pitcher, who signed a three-year, $67 million contract last December, is now at the center of a potential trade, as the Cubs also weigh targets like Sandy Alcantara from the Miami Marlins and Mitch Keller from the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, negotiating a deal involving Severino presents several challenges due to his contract and the Athletics’ strategic priorities.
Evaluating Severino’s Mixed Season Performance
Severino’s 2024 season has been uneven, marked by a significant contrast between his home and road game results. While he has struggled at home with a high 6.79 ERA, his performance away from Oakland tells a different story — he has achieved an impressive 2.27 ERA on the road. Overall, Severino holds a 2-8 win-loss record, a 4.83 ERA, and a 1.35 WHIP, leading to questions about his reliability and ability to adapt across varying ballparks and conditions.
For the Cubs, assessing these statistics is vital, especially when considering the financial commitment involved. Severino’s contract includes a $20 million salary for the current season, $25 million for 2026, and a player option worth $22 million for 2027. These player options tend to complicate negotiations since players might choose to exercise them if their market value is uncertain after an inconsistent season.
How the Athletics Are Strategizing Their Trade Approach
Oakland’s decision to trade Severino involves more than balancing finances; it is closely tied to their long-term rebuilding strategy. The Athletics aim to acquire young, promising pitchers and a strong defensive player to improve their overall team performance. This aligns with their urgent need to address defensive weaknesses, as their current rankings place them near the bottom league-wide.
The contrasting home and road ERAs are also important for evaluating Severino’s fit with the Cubs. Similar wind conditions at Sutter Health Park in Oakland and Chicago’s Wrigley Field suggest that Severino could find renewed success in Chicago. His 0.69 ERA over 13 innings in two starts at Wrigley supports this possibility, indicating potential for a welcomed resurgence in a new environment.
The Challenge of Maintaining Fan Loyalty and Club Identity
Beyond contracts and performance, the Athletics face a deeper challenge concerning their loyal fanbase and the team’s identity. Trading Severino shortly after signing him to a lucrative deal could risk alienating a fanbase already skeptical of recent management decisions. The Athletics must weigh the message such a move would send to supporters when consistency and trust are critical.
Unlike franchises such as the Boston Red Sox, which have successfully managed trades of star players like Mookie Betts and Rafael Devers thanks to strong fan support, the Athletics struggle with fan discontent in Oakland. This uneasy relationship complicates the trade decision and requires the front office to consider the emotional implications of parting with a marquee player.
Weighing the Stakes as the Trade Deadline Nears
As the MLB trade deadline looms, the Athletics’ management confronts a complex balancing act involving financial prudence, team enhancement, and fan sentiment. The potential trade of Luis Severino encapsulates the tensions many teams face during rebuilding phases: deciding between short-term gains and long-term stability.
The outcome of this situation will be significant, not only for Severino’s career trajectory but also for the Athletics’ organizational direction and relationship with their supporters. Whether the team opts to keep Severino or move him in exchange for young talent and improved defense, the decision will shape Oakland’s narrative and competitive outlook in the coming years.