A’s keep ace Severino despite feelings on ballpark, make two trades at deadline
Luis Severino’s rocky relationship with his home ballpark will continue at least a little longer.
The Athletics did not trade their ace starting pitcher and most expensive player ahead of Thursday’s annual trade deadline, meaning he will continue to throw at Sutter Health Park for the foreseeable future.
Severino, of course, has been outspoken about his aversion to the A’s home stadium in West Sacramento, noting he’s often been unable to get comfortable pitching there because he can’t visit the clubhouse between innings. It’s in a separate building beyond the outfield wall rather than behind the dugout. The A’s share the stadium with the Triple-A River Cats, the top minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
Severino also said the ballpark has a “spring training” atmosphere while the A’s average 9,745 fans per game, last in the Major Leagues. Severino previously pitched nine years in New York, eight for the Yankees and one for the Mets.
He first victory at home this season came Tuesday when he allowed one run over five innings against the Seattle Mariners — which came after falling over after making the second and third pitches of the game.
“I think me and the mound, we don’t like each other. Something’s going on there,” Severino said afterward.
A’s starter Jeffrey Springs had a similar issue getting traction on the rubber early in Wednesday’s win over Seattle.
Tuesday also marked just the second time all year Severino allowed one earned run or fewer at Sutter Health Park. He was previously 0-9 with a 6.68 ERA in 12 home appearances. He’s been much better on the road, going 4-2 with a 3.03 ERA, which might have been appealing to teams in need of starting pitching.
Severino signed for three years and $67 million in the offseason, making him the A’s most expensive player since Eric Chavez signed a $66 million deal over six years in 2004. But his season has been marked by inconsistency while the A’s have been in last place in the American League West since May 20. He’s due $25 million and $22 million over the next two seasons, respectively.
The 31-year-old right-hander has shown signs of life recently. He’s allowed two runs or fewer in four consecutive starts.
A’s make two trades on deadline day
The A’s didn’t stand pat completely. They made a blockbuster trade despite manager Mark Kotsay proclaiming he didn’t expect his last-place team to be sellers at the deadline. The A’s moved former All-Star closer Mason Miller and left-handed starter JP Sears to the San Diego Padres for a package of four players, including 18-year-old shortstop Leo De Vries, who is considered one of baseball’s premier prospects loaded with star potential.
They also traded third baseman and corner outfielder Miguel Andujar to the Cincinnati Reds, the team announced, receiving right-handed pitcher Kenya Huggins.
Huggins was a fourth-round pick in 2022 who has spent the last three seasons at Class-A Daytona where he’s compiled a 4-4 record and 3.82 ERA. He’s started 21 of his 36 appearances. Huggins was listed by MLB.com as the Reds’ No. 22-ranked prospect.
Andujar appeared in 60 games for the A’s this season after joining in 2024. He worked primarily as a third baseman and left fielder. The former Yankee and Pittsburgh Pirate hit .298/.329/.436 with six home runs and 27 RBIs. He’s hitting .422 with a 1.036 OPS against left-handed pitching.
