AL East rival targets former Yankees ace in $51 million ‘Black Friday’ move

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Just a year ago, it seemed unthinkable that Luis Severino would ever leave the Bronx. The former New York Yankees All-Star ace, once the shining light of the team’s rotation, now dons a New York Mets uniform in a bid to revive his career—a twist that no one could have scripted.

And on this Black Friday, the Yankees faithful may find themselves reflecting on what could have been. As free agency looms, Severino is being linked to a tantalizing three-year, $51 million deal with a familiar foe in the American League East: the Toronto Blue Jays.

Luis Severino predicted to join AL East rival on $51 million deal after Mets stint

Luis Severino’s career has been a tale of triumphs and tribulations. From 2017 to 2018, he was the toast of the Yankees’ rotation, earning back-to-back All-Star nods and placing in the top 10 of AL Cy Young voting both years. With a fastball that could leave batters breathless and a knack for making hitters look foolish, he was a cornerstone in pinstripes.

But as fate would have it, injuries began to chip away at his brilliance, derailing his trajectory from 2020 to 2023. 

Adding insult to injury, the saga surrounding Domingo German’s domestic violence allegations—an issue that Severino addressed with public support for his long-time teammate—put the Yankees in a precarious position. Severino, meanwhile, struggled to stay on the mound, managing just 42 appearances (37 starts) during that stretch. His final act in pinstripes was far from cinematic: a 6.65 ERA over 89 1/3 innings in 2023.

Seeking redemption, Severino took his talents across town, signing a one-year, $13 million deal with the Mets. It was a gamble, but one that bore fruit. In 2024, he bounced back with an 11-7 record, a 3.91 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, and 161 strikeouts over 182 innings—his heaviest workload since his 2018 breakout.

With his stock on the rise, Severino has become one of the more intriguing names on the free-agent market. Ryan Finkelstein of Just Baseball forecasts a three-year, $51 million contract with the Blue Jays, complete with an opt-out clause after 2025. It’s a deal that offers Severino stability while keeping the door open for a potentially larger payday if he continues to shine.

A move to Toronto would bring Severino full circle—pitching against the Yankees in the AL East, the very division where he made his name. It’s a prospect that carries both poetic and competitive weight. Severino could help fortify a Blue Jays rotation desperate to mount a serious postseason challenge while also reigniting one of the league’s fiercest rivalries.

For Severino, the deal offers a shot at redemption in a division where he once thrived. Facing his old teammates on the mound might be just the fire he needs to show he’s still got that spark from his Yankees days.

As the offseason drama unfolds, Yankees fans may find themselves pondering what this means for the rivalry. Will Severino in a Blue Jays uniform become a thorn in the Bronx Bombers’ side—or just another chapter in his tumultuous career?

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

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