Red Sox manager dishes on offseason negotiations with Mets starting pitcher

While the Boston Red Sox didn't do much last season to upgrade their roster, they did have conversations with a number of players, including New York Mets starting pitcher Luis Severino.

Severino, 30, had been with the New York Yankees for the previous nine seasons (missing all of 2020 due to injury). He posted a 3.79 ERA and a 1.185 WHIP while striking out 9.8 batters per nine innings during those eight seasons.

After a rough 2023 campaign (6.65 ERA and a 1.646 WHIP in 27 starts), he hit free agency and ultimately signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Mets. He's rewarded them with a 3.84 ERA and a 1.255 WHIP in 27 starts.

Before Severino's start against Boston on Monday (one run over seven innings), Red Sox manager Alex Cora opened up about the contract discussions they had with the pitcher over the offseason.

“We actually talked to him in the offseason,” Cora said ( via. MassLive ). “It was a great conversation. Kind of like the things he’s doing right now are the things we kind of envisioned, especially with repertoire. First of all, he’s strong. He’s a strong kid. Very successful early in his career. Injuries kind of pushed him aside for a little bit. But he’s had a good season.”

It didn't seem likely that Severino would bounce back like this after the injuries and tough season last year, but if Boston did have him on the staff, things could be a lot better.

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