Why the A's Should Want Luis Severino Back

The Athletics need to make strides with their pitching staff this winter, whether that's from free agency, trade, or development.

One big decision that will impact the A's pitching staff will be made in the coming week or so, with Luis Severino's $22 million player option having a deadline of five days after the conclusion of the World Series for an answer. While some fans have been hoping he won't be back, there are plenty of reasons for why he could be the key piece for the A's offseason. 

If Severino picks up his option, that is one less arm the A's would have to go out and get this offseason. Of course, his results haven't been the best in his two seasons with the A's, combining for a 10-17 record and a 4.43 ERA across 225 ⅓ innings. At home, that ERA has soared to a 5.85 in 20 starts, and sat at 5.33 in 2026. Sutter Health Park has proven to be one of baseball's most hitter-friendly parks in the two years the A's have been there. 

With new president of baseball operations Taylor Smith on board, perhaps there will be more of a strategy for the pitching staff moving forward in terms of which pitches to use and how to utilize them. Pitching development appears to be a new focus for the organization.

The biggest factor that Severino brings to the A's pitching staff is his ability to consistently go five innings. While he may not have the best home ERA, his performance isn't going to hinder the bullpen for the next couple of games, either.

Having that consistency keeps pressure off the other starting pitchers by not needing them to go deep with a short bullpen, and it also keeps the relief arms fresh. 

The right-hander made 12 starts in 2026 and finished with 62 ⅔ innings, giving him just over five frames per game on average. In 2025 he was averaging roughly 5 ⅔ innings per start. After rehabbing all summer, he left Sacramento ready to pitch and undergo a regular offseason.

Severino landed on the IL on May 30, and from May 31 through the end of the season, the A's had the worst ERA in baseball at 6.18 (5.05 FIP). From the beginning of the season through May 30, the A's had a 4.38 ERA (4.76 FIP) with Severino in the rotation. The A's will also need to build up the depth of the club, and having Severino on the roster helps to build that depth. 

Of course, these are small sample sizes, but they do provide some data for the argument that Severino is important to the rotation, regardless of his own results. 

The larger question here is whether $22 million is a good deal for the A's for a league-average starter who can give them five innings. The A's need arms, and part of filling that need will be developing arms like Gage Jump and Jack Perkins further.

Having Severino around keeps pressure off the younger starters, as they can go out there and just pitch their games without having to also be a second or third starter. In a mental sport like baseball, that alleviated pressure can go a long way. 

The $22 million price tag for that is a little steep, but having Severino is more of a cascading effect over the rest of the pitching staff, which makes the deal much more worthwhile — if he chooses to stay in Sacramento.