5 starting pitchers the Cleveland Guardians should target in free agency

2. Luis Severino - New York Mets

It was not that long ago that Luis Severino appeared to be the anchor of the New York Yankees' rotation for years to come. Injuries and Tommy John surgery saw Severino pitch in just seven games between 2019 and 2021. Severino appeared to be back to his usual self in 2022, finishing with a 3.18 ERA and 1.000 WHIP in 19 starts, but it wouldn't last as 2023 saw him put up the worst numbers of his career (6.65 ERA, 1.646 WHIP) in 19 appearances. This resulted in Severino leaving The Bronx and moving to a different borough in New York, signing with the Mets on a one-year "prove-it" deal.

It was a productive 2024 for Severino with the Mets, compiling a 3.91 ERA and 1.242 WHIP across 182 innings (31 starts). It may not have been at the same high level during his time with the Yankees, but Severino was able to prove he can be an effective pitcher again, and teams should be interested in his services.

.Bringing in Severino would not necessarily replace Shane Bieber (if he leaves in free agency), but it would help raise the talent floor of Cleveland's rotation, and that is just as important for the Guardians, considering how many pitchers they used last season. 3