Yankees: Riskiest Contracts on the Payroll Right Now

Yankees’ riskiest contracts: Luis Severino

Luis Severino’s extension looks worse for the Yankees now than it did in 2019.

There’s no question Sevy is beloved among fans in the Bronx, but the four-year, $40 million extension he inked before the 2019 season now doesn’t look so great. He pitched in just three games last year due to shoulder, lat and elbow issues, with the latter forcing him to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss all of 2020 (in addition to a portion of 2021). Considering he’ll be a free agent after 2022, this deal sadly feels like a complete waste — not because of Severino’s play, just merely because of the circumstances. The 2021 season will largely consist of Severino looking to get back on track from rehab and up to game speed, with 2022 being the last full year he could potentially pitch for the Bombers. The only silver lining here is that if he performs well in part of 2021 and all of 2022, the Yankees have a $15 million club option they can exercise for 2023. Nonetheless, this extension is shrouded in uncertainty due to Severino’s health, which essentially makes the majority of it a sunk cost.