Last season, Luis Severino did not have the ideal year with the New York Yankees. He battled greatly throughout, and his decrease in output harmed the team more than it benefited. However, teammate Tommy Kahnle explains what was really going on, providing some hope for Severino to have a bounce-back season in 2024.
Tommy Kahnle revealed during an interview on Foul Territory that Luis Severino was dealing with an injury last season, which was corroborated by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
That would certainly explain why Luis Severino could not maintain consistency. Professional athletes may experience difficulties if they continue to play while injured. However, given that the Yankees pitcher has had the whole offseason to heal, Severino is certain to open the 2024 season injury-free.
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Have the New York Mets done enough this offseason?
Following a poor 2023 season in which they missed the playoffs, a year after going 101-61, Steve Cohen and the New York Mets were confronted with major roster vacancies to address in order to return to success in 2024.
Have they done it? Let’s see how things are shaping up for the 2024 season.
So far, most of the reinforcements have been pitchers, with New York still in need of bullpen and rotation upgrades. Luis Severino was signed from the Yankees on a one-year, $13 million prove-it contract following a disastrous 2023 season in which he had many injuries and posted a 6.65 ERA. Prior to last year, Severino was a staple and fan favorite for the Yankees, making the All-Star game in consecutive years in 2017 and 2018, and finished third in the AL Cy Young competition in 2017. If Severino can reach those levels with the Mets, he will be a valuable addition to the rotation behind ace Kodai Senga.
Furthermore, Sean Manaea, best known for his time with the Oakland A’s, was brought in to complete the rotation on a two-year, $28 million contract. The lefty has been a consistent starter since getting chosen in 2013 and will look to improve his performance as a member of New York’s starting rotation. With this agreement, the Mets’ starting rotation is expected to include Senga, Severino, Manaea, Jose Quintana, and Adrian Houser, who was traded from Milwaukee this summer for outfield prospect Coleman Crow and is coming off an 8-5 season as a starter with 96 strikeouts. Tylor Megill and Joey Lucchesi will most likely play depth/relief as well.
A number of relievers have been added this summer, including Jake Diekman, Jorge Lopez, Adam Ottavino, and Michael Tonkin. With superstar closer Edwin Diaz fully healthy for the upcoming season, it will be critical to surround him with setup pitchers like Ottavino and Lopez, who can get through the seventh and eighth innings. Tonkin is expected to pitch in wherever needed, whether in a long relief role or a one-inning stint.
On the position player side, Harrison Bader was signed to improve the Mets’ middle defense, as he will play center field, pushing Brandon Nimmo to left. Bader won a Gold Glove in 2021 and is widely regarded as one of baseball’s greatest defensive center fielders. However, he has had numerous injuries, missing 199 games since the beginning of 2021, and has only participated in more than 130 games once in his career, in 2018. When healthy, Bader has shown to be a productive hitter, but when the ailment bug returned last season with the Yankees, his bat slowed.
Joey Wendle, a utility player, has also joined the Mets, taking over for Luis Guillorme. Wendle is likely to fill in as a depth infielder when McNeil and Francisco Lindor require a rest.
However, New York still has some unanswered questions. Third base and designated hitter are open positions, and Brett Baty, despite his struggles last season, is expected to earn another chance. The Mets are still intrigued in remaining DH possibilities J.D. Martinez and Jorge Soler, but their prices are likely out of reach.
The Mets hinted that they would reduce their expenditure this offseason, and they have done so with no notable acquisitions. While they might still add a few items to strengthen the bullpen or lineup, it appears like they are nearly done.
That being said, Mets head of baseball operations David Stearns has assembled playoff teams with fewer payrolls and less talent. The Mets still have a chance to exceed expectations this season, but it’s unclear whether they done enough to develop a postseason squad.
