NEW YORK – A Mets team in dire need of a Mets team began filling the void left by a former standout from the neighborhood on Wednesday. The team has agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract with right-hander Luis Severino, a source told MLB.com, marking the first major signing of the David Stearns era.
Later Wednesday, the Mets agreed to terms with infielder Joey Wendle on a one-year, $2 million contract. The team hasn’t confirmed any of the deals because they haven’t been made public yet.
Severino, 29, spent his entire eight-year career with the Yankees, including All-Star seasons in 2017 and ’18. But in the year With a right rotator cuff strain in 2019, Tommy John surgery at 20, injuries began to affect him in a profound way. Last season, there were issues that plagued Severino, who made 18 starts and produced a 6.65 ERA.
Therefore, the scope of results for Severino in 2024 is wide. He remains one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in the game, ranking in the 88th percentile in fastball velocity. But he hasn’t had a full, healthy season in half a decade and has struggled in 23 campaigns.
Still, Severino is a risk worth taking for the Mets as they hope to put a contender on the field without agreeing to many new long-term contracts. At his best, Severino profiles as an ACE-like talent still a few months shy of his 30th birthday; His injury history and recent lack of success kept him on a one-year deal. At worst, $13 million is a budget line for an organization that can afford such mistakes.
This season, every arm the Mets get is critical. The team now has three starters under guaranteed contracts in Kodai Senga, Jose Quintana and Severino. The New York Stars are among the favorites to land Japanese free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto, despite facing stiff competition from other big-market clubs on that front. Stearns, the club’s new president of baseball operations, said he expects the Mets to build several starting bases this summer — which could mean two or three on guaranteed deals, depending on how the offseason plays out and other minor league contracts.
The Mets look set to add more offense after acquiring Wendell, a 33-year-old veteran of the A’s, Rays and Marlins. Known for his versatility, Wendle played five different defensive positions during his eight-year career, spending most of his time at second base, third base and shortstop. The left-handed hitter was an All-Star in 2021, slashing .265/.319/.422 with 11 home runs and 31 doubles. But Wendle has struggled over the past two seasons, slashing .238/.275/.335.
In New York, Wendle would provide the Mets with insurance at second base if they choose to use Jeff McNeill in the outfield, and at third base if Brett Baty, Ronnie Mauricio and Mark Vientos fail to distinguish themselves next spring. His presence makes one of the three trades more compelling.
Another notable aspect of Wednesday’s deals is that both Severino and Wendle agreed to one-year deals. Team owner Steve Cohen has called 2024 a bridge year for the Mets, as their farm system continues to develop and avoid embarrassing themselves with long-term deals. While targets like Yamamoto aren’t out of the question, the Mets intend to get more players like Severino and Wendle off the books when their system bears more regular fruit.
Even with two major league contracts coming up, the Mets will be busy next week and throughout December at the winter meetings. Their initial needs include one or two more starting pitchers, a power-hitting corner outfield or DH type, and several relievers.