si
After a lackluster 2025 campaign, the Athletics are poised for a significant roster shakeup as they approach the 2027 season. However, the looming MLB lockout, which could begin in a matter of weeks, has injected uncertainty into the offseason, with teams and players alike hesitant to commit to moves until the new collective bargaining agreement is clear.
Under new leadership, the A's have already made front-office changes, hiring Cam Castro as general manager and Taylor Smith as president of baseball operations. Both executives have vowed to revamp the pitching staff and turn the team into a contender.
Their first order of business came from an unexpected source: Luis Severino, the two-time Opening Day starter, exercised his player option for the third and final year of his contract. The decision guarantees Severino $22 million for the upcoming season.
Severino's Return: A Short-Term Fix with Long-Term Questions
On the surface, retaining a reliable arm like Severino seems like a win for a pitching staff in flux, especially since the team had no say in the matter. Severino has previously expressed dissatisfaction with the A's temporary home in West Sacramento, but the lack of comparable offers in free agency—none would approach $22 million—prompted his return for the team's final season in Sacramento.
For now, Severino slots in as the staff's de facto ace. Though his performance since joining the A's has hardly justified that label, he is the most experienced starter on the roster, particularly with Jeffrey Springs hitting free agency. The club will need to add more seasoned arms this winter, and Severino represents a starting point.
Yet his return could prove more problematic than beneficial. The A's are actively seeking pitching help, and convincing free agents to sign with a team playing in a minor league ballpark will require significant financial incentives. To maximize payroll flexibility, the team might explore trading Severino to shed his contract. Such a move would free up $22 million to pursue a high-priced free agent.
Alternatively, the A's could consider offloading another long-term contract, such as that of Lawrence Butler. Neither Butler nor Severino is indispensable to the team's competitiveness, but the financial relief from moving either could be substantial.
The decision ultimately rests with Smith and Castro. They could opt to keep Severino as rotation depth, accepting his hefty salary as the cost of addressing a dire need. With pitching at a premium, the A's might simply have to absorb the $22 million commitment for 2026.