Morning Rundown: Luis Severino signs with Athletics, Bryan Reynolds to play first in 2025? Pirates bring back Isaac Mattson
Severino signs recording breaking contract for Athletics, Reynolds could split time at first, Mattson signs minor league deal
It’s been a quiet offseason to date for most teams not located in Los Angeles. The Athletics will be based in Sacramento, so maybe it’s something about the California teams, as they joined in and signed Luis Severino to a three-year contract worth $67 million.
That’s the biggest contract handed out by the Athletics to a free agent in franchise history. It also comes with an opt-out after year two.
Severino had spent his entire career with New York, all with the Yankees until 2024, when he pitched for the Mets. He posted an 11-7 record with a 3.91 ERA in 182 innings pitched in 2024.
For his career, Severino has a 3.81 ERA in 909.1 innings with a 65-44 record.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have re-signed right-handed pitcher Isaac Mattson to a minor-league contract.
Mattson, 29, pitched most of the season in the minors, posting a 3.17 ERA with a 7-2 record (four saves) and 89 strikeouts across 71 innings while pitching with Altoona and Indianapolis.
He also pitched 5.1 innings with the Pirates to end the season, posting a 5.06 ERA with six strikeouts (and five walks) in three games.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Pirates plan on using Bryan Reynolds at first base on a part-time basis.
First base remains one of the more glaring holes in the Pirates’ current roster make-up. They signed Rowdy Tellez as a free agent before the 2024 season but designated him for assignment at the end of the season.
The Pirates also non-tendered outfielders Bryan De La Cruz and Connor Joe earlier this offseason.
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Bryan Reynolds is the best bat reasonably available to man 1B and it’s not particularly close.
No brainer, no go find an outfielder.
My opinion: If Reynolds defensive stats are real(and I am more and more of that belief) then he needs to move to first base yesterday. IMO that eliminates signing or trading for any 'legit' longer term(even 2 years) first base option as Reynolds HAS to be under the current roster alignment a key part of the future. If his move opens up short term flexibility (a platoon partner(s) for 2025) then so be it. This does not mean they can't make a splash as suggested for what would be a gaping hole in the outfield.
To me (and I think what terrifies many) is what does this decision really mean and what is the next shoe to drop in fielding a better team in 2025. That is the key to all of this, not whether this move is doom and gloom or the greatest idea ever.