Luis Severino spent the first nine seasons of his MLB career with the New York Yankees, posting a 54-37 record with a 3.79 ERA and earning two All-Star selections.
However, before the 2024 season, Severino signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the New York Mets. Now that he has played for both sides of the New York baseball rivalry, the right-hander shared his perspective on the differences between the two teams.
Luis Severino Talks Differences Between Mets, Yankees
Having played for both the Yankees and Mets, Severino discussed the contrast between the two franchises during an episode of “Foul Territory.”
“Yankees, when you show up to spring training, everything was about—you have to win the division. You had to win it, it’s not a choice. In New York (with the Mets), because of the team we had, it was like nobody thought we were going to make the playoffs, so it was just more relaxed. It was more about go out there and have fun, and play the game.”
Severino continued:
“Yankees are more about—you have to go out there and we have to win the World Series every year because of the way they pay their players and the way they manage. Since I was in the minor leagues, that was the mentality.”
His comments highlight the pressure and expectations of playing for the Yankees. The franchise has won 27 World Series titles, the most in MLB history, with its last championship coming in 2009.
Conversely, the Mets don’t carry the same expectations, though momentum is building for the franchise, especially after adding Juan Soto and retaining Pete Alonso.
Severino Begins New Chapter With Athletics
After spending his entire career in New York, Severino has moved on to a new challenge, signing a three-year, $67 million deal with the Oakland Athletics, a team set to relocate to Las Vegas in 2028.
In signing Severino, the A’s gave up their third-highest pick in the 2025 draft. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, because the Mets exceeded the competitive balance tax threshold last year, they received a compensation pick after the fourth round (worth north of $500,000 in draft bonus pool money).
In PFSN’s 2025 MLB preseason power rankings, Severino’s new team is ranked 26th ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins, Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox
Now, as he returns to the American League, Severino is expected to be the ace for an Athletics team in need of a star presence.