The Baltimore Orioles have a situation brewing out west that deserves their close attention.
When the Athletics handed Luis Severino a three-year, $67 million contract this past offseason, many assumed the move was less about immediate results and more about setting the stage for the franchise’s controversial relocation to Las Vegas.
But now, just halfway through the first year of that deal, a critical question has emerged — will Severino even be around by the time the A’s arrive in Vegas?
So far, the A’s post-Oakland makeover has felt more like a publicity stunt than a genuine competitive retool.
In addition to Severino, the front office dished out long-term extensions to Lawrence Butler (7 years, $65.5M) and Brent Rooker (5 years, $60M), seemingly to convince fans and investors that this franchise was actually serious about its future.
But now that they’re stuck playing in Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park — a minor league facility with major league flaws — the reality is beginning to set in. The players notice. And Severino is no exception.
Orioles should strike if the A’s cut ties with Luis Severino
Speaking to The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty, Severino didn’t hold back about his frustrations with the team’s current situation.
“Because we play in a big-league stadium on the road,” Severino said when asked why his splits are drastically different. “We don’t have that at home right now. It’s not the same atmosphere. We don’t have a lot of fans. Our clubhouse is in left field. So, when we play day games, we have to just be in the sun. There’s no air conditioning there, too. It’s really tough.”
The numbers tell no lies.
While Severino’s overall line — a 2-9 record with a 5.09 ERA across 18 starts — might jump off the page and scare some clubs off, his home and road splits tell a much more revealing story.
At home, in Sutter Health Park, Severino is 0-7 with an atrocious 6.79 ERA. But on the road, he’s posted a much more reliable 3.04 ERA with a 2-2 record.
This is where the Orioles come in. With their starting rotation ravaged by injuries — Kyle Bradish and Grayson Rodriguez both still sidelined, Zach Eflin now on the IL, and a heavy reliance on aging arms like Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano — the O’s are in desperate need of starting depth.
Severino might not be a long-term solution, but his road numbers suggest he can still be a solid contributor on a contending team in a more stable, professional environment.
Add to that his postseason pedigree and veteran experience, and he becomes a viable option for a team in need of pitching with a desire to compete in a competitive AL East.
If Severino’s frustrations with his current situation lead to an exit, the Orioles should be among the first to call.
Because while the A’s continue to stumble their way to Vegas, Baltimore has an opportunity to strike — and maybe help resurrect a pitcher who needs a change of scenery.
