The New York Yankees will open the 2026 season with a rotation held together by Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, and Luis Gil as they await the return of injured stars Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, a situation that has forced the franchise to evaluate every realistic upgrade option.

After bypassing major external free-agent additions during the offseason, New York remains positioned to explore trades before Opening Day, and one name that continues to surface is former Yankees ace Luis Severino, now a member of the Oakland Athletics.

Severino, who spent the first eight seasons of his career in the Bronx and earned two All-Star selections with New York, has become a plausible reunion candidate as analysts explore potential fits for a Yankees team in need of immediate pitching stability.

A recent mock trade proposal from Sports Illustrated’s Thomas Carelli suggested that Severino could return to New York in exchange for a three-prospect package, citing both Oakland’s historical tendencies and the uncertain trajectory of their 2026 season.

Carelli noted that while the Athletics hope to contend, their win total projection of 75.5 indicates long-shot playoff odds, creating a realistic scenario in which they pivot toward selling assets midseason — and Severino would be one of the most valuable pieces available.

Severino signed a two-year, $45 million contract with Oakland before the 2025 season, and with a player option for 2027, he remains an attractive mid-contract trade target for contenders seeking rotation help without a massive long-term commitment.

If the Athletics struggle early, Severino could see value in a move as well, especially given reports that he has not fully enjoyed pitching at Suter Health Park — a temporary facility functioning at minor-league dimensions that can distort pitching metrics.

The ballpark’s unusual environment has contributed to some of the more drastic home-road splits in the league, as demonstrated by Severino’s 2025 performance, which saw his ERA dip just above 3.00 on the road but balloon near 6.00 at home.

Those splits reflect not only ballpark factors but also show that Severino may still possess the competitive edge and durability needed to thrive in a stronger environment, particularly one like New York where he once delivered elite-level outings.

During his original Yankees tenure, Severino posted a 3.79 ERA across eight seasons, showing ace-caliber stuff when healthy, including stretches where he was one of the most dominant right-handers in the American League.

His injury-riddled final years in the Bronx left lingering questions, but a bounce-back 2024 season with the New York Mets, where he posted a 3.91 ERA, reminded the league that he remained capable of producing high-quality innings.

Severino’s journey since then — including his decision to join the Athletics in 2025 — has been a quest to find consistency, opportunity, and workload stability, three factors that New York may be able to offer again given their current rotation situation.

The Yankees, dealing with Cole’s recovery timeline and Rodón’s absence, cannot afford extended stretches of instability if they intend to compete for the AL East, making Severino an especially compelling reunion option.

Fried, Schlittler, and Gil bring upside, but the group lacks the established, veteran durability that New York traditionally relies on, and even a midseason addition could shift the trajectory of the Yankees’ season dramatically.

New York’s front office has demonstrated in previous years that they are willing to re-acquire familiar faces if the fit is right, and Severino’s long history with the organization makes such a move easier from both a cultural and player development standpoint.

A potential deal may hinge on Oakland’s willingness to pivot toward a rebuild if their season starts poorly, and historically they have not hesitated to trade valuable veterans once postseason contention becomes unrealistic.

For the Yankees, the appeal lies in Severino’s age — still just 31 — meaning he is far from a late-career flyer, and instead remains a pitcher with several productive years potentially ahead of him, especially under the right coaching environment.

A reunion also brings intangible value, as Severino understands the Yankee Stadium spotlight, the expectations of the Bronx fanbase, and the communication style of a staff that once molded him into a frontline starter.

If Severino were to return to New York, his familiarity with the organization could minimize adjustment time and maximize early contributions, an important factor for a rotation that needs immediate reinforcement.

On the Athletics’ side, moving Severino for prospects would align with their long-term financial and competitive strategies, as the organization continues building toward sustainable development rather than short-term success.

Multiple teams across the league would have interest if he became available, but the Yankees would likely sit near the top of the list due to their urgent need and their pre-existing history with Severino.

Evaluating Severino’s 2025 workload — 162.2 innings with a 4.54 ERA — shows that despite inconsistencies, he remained durable across a full season, a trait the Yankees desperately need during a period of injury uncertainty.

Given the volatility inherent in pitching markets, New York may view Severino as a reliable option with cost certainty, balanced upside, and rotational familiarity — a combination difficult to find elsewhere at a reasonable trade price.

If talks between the Yankees and Athletics were to intensify, timing would be crucial, as New York may prefer to strike early while addressing immediate needs, whereas Oakland may attempt to leverage midseason demand for a larger return.

As the Yankees prepare for Opening Day, their rotation remains the most pressing concern, and every viable upgrade option carries weight in determining whether they can maintain competitiveness while awaiting their aces’ return.

For Severino, a reunion represents both an opportunity to pitch meaningful innings in a contending environment and a return to the stadium where he forged the most memorable moments of his career.

Whether the two sides ultimately reconnect will depend on performance trends, market dynamics, and Oakland’s competitive trajectory, but the possibility continues gaining traction as analysts and insiders evaluate the logical paths forward.

With the 2026 MLB season approaching, the Yankees’ search for stability may lead them right back to a familiar face — and perhaps the pitcher who once symbolized the franchise’s next great era could be part of their future once again.