Mets Rumors: Luis Severino Declines $21M Qualifying Offer amid 2024 MLB Free Agency
New York Mets starting pitcher Luis Severino has elected to enter free agency after declining his $21.05 million qualifying offer, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Severino, who turns 31 years old in February, went 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA (1.24 WHIP) over 31 starts, striking out 161 batters across 182.0 innings.
Severino's free agency decision comes as no surprise given his impressive (and healthy) bounce-back season. It marked the first time he made 30 or more starts since 2018, the second of back-to-back All-Star campaigns that saw him finish ninth in the American League Cy Young voting with the New York Yankees.
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From 2019-2023, Severino was sidelined for long stretches with injuries, including a Grade 2 lat strain (2019), a torn UCL in his right elbow (2020), a groin injury (2021), a low-grade right lat strain (2022) and a high-grade oblique strain (2023). He made just 45 appearances (40 starts), going 13-12 with a 4.47 ERA. Severino significantly struggled in 2023 with a 4-8 record and 6.65 ERA (1.65 WHIP).
However, Severino enjoyed an excellent comeback in 2024, showcasing what he can do over a full and healthy season. He largely fared well in the playoffs too, posting a 3.24 ERA over three starts (16.2 innings).
Severino can certainly land back with the Mets, and general manager David Stearns expressed interest in him returning to the mix earlier this month.
However, word emerged from The Athletic's Will Sammon that Severino was expected to decline the qualifying offer.
"Though starting pitcher Luis Severino loves playing in New York, it's likely that he declines the qualifying offer from the Mets, a league source said, in favor of trying to land a multiyear deal," Sammon wrote last Saturday.
The Athletic's Tim Britton notably projected Severino to get a three-year, $50 million deal.
Severino should be able to find that multi-year deal he reportedly seeks. The ultimate questions, of course, are where he lands and how much he gets.
