Pulling off this trade would be a bold move for the Detroit Tigers—but it might be exactly what they need to take the next step.
The return of Reese Olson to the rotation on Friday was a major lift for a staff that has been struggling behind ace Tarik Skubal due to injuries and inconsistent performances.
While A.J. Hinch showed last postseason that he can successfully manage games with a strong bullpen even without a dominant starting rotation, the Tigers will still need another reliable starter if they hope to make a legitimate World Series push. They thought Jack Flaherty might be that guy when they signed him, but his recent struggles have raised doubts about his playoff reliability.
That makes it likely that Scott Harris will be exploring starting pitching options at the trade deadline—and Luis Severino could be at the top of the list.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Oakland Athletics are reportedly open to trading Severino, just months after signing him to a three-year, \$67 million deal. Severino has expressed strong dissatisfaction with pitching at the A’s minor league-level ballpark, and the numbers back that up: he has a 6.79 ERA at home compared to a 3.04 ERA on the road. Nightengale even said it would be surprising if Severino is still with Oakland come August.
The Tigers should take note.
Yes, Severino’s overall numbers this season—including a 5.09 ERA and an ERA+ of 82—are concerning. His strikeout rate is the lowest of his career, and opponents are hitting him harder than usual. But there’s upside here. His Stuff+ metrics are still above league average, indicating he has the tools to be a quality starter.
He’s also coming off a strong 2024 season with the Mets, when he posted a 3.91 ERA over 31 starts, with an even better 3.88 expected ERA. The Tigers have a reputation for getting more out of their pitchers, so Severino could be a worthwhile buy-low candidate for the stretch run.
There’s also a long-term incentive: Severino is under contract for 2026 and holds a \$22 million player option for 2027. Though his salary jumps to \$25 million next year, that kind of financial commitment could offer Detroit some rotation stability.
If Severino returns to form, the Tigers would gain not just a solid No. 2 behind Skubal for the rest of this season, but a potential top-end starter to pair with him well into the future—right when their title window may be at its widest.
