NY Mets sign former Yankees prospect with a major issue to a minor league deal

The New York Mets quietly signed former New York Yankees prospect Anderson Severino to a minor league deal. Likely once known as “the other Severino” back when he was playing in the minors alongside Luis Severino, this one never quite managed to have the same career.

The Yankees cut him before ever reaching the big leagues. Severino would appear in 6 games for the Chicago White Sox in 2022, then departing to play in foreign countries ever since.

Whether playing in affiliated baseball in the United States or elsewhere, control issues have followed Severino. It’ll be the task the Mets try to tame with this 31-year-old southpaw who can strike out the side around walking the bases loaded.

Anderson Severino had a good year in the Mexican League in 2025 but there are questions

The 4.9 BB/9 rate he had this past year in the Mexican League is actually one of the better seasons of his career. In 368.1 innings at all levels, he has averaged a terrifying 6.4 BB/9. His 44 innings in Triple-A haven’t been kind with 10 BB/9. Even with his strong 11 K/9 with it, walking more than a batter per inning is inexcusable.

Add in his 7.98 ERA in Triple-A games, Severino feels like a project with no good conclusion. Turned on by his 2.68 ERA this past season and improved walk rate and continued high strikeout total (11.2 per 9), this is one of those depth signings that seems worth it just for the sake of getting to know the player a little more.

David Stearns has been incredibly aggressive this offseason with lefty relievers. We’ve already seen reunions with Richard Lovelady and Jose Castillo. Joe Jacques was offered a minor league deal as well. Nate Lavender rejoined the club after he was returned by the Tampa Bay Rays nearly a year after getting stolen in the Rule 5 Draft. The competition for third-string lefty out of the bullpen isn’t going to keep us awake at night or sell tickets in St. Lucie. It is, however, an important and valuable one Stearns seemed to learn from.

We can fully expect enough of these additions to get cut before the season ends if not sooner. Severino should get a chance to throw in some spring training games. A consistent track record of throwing balls, we already know what to expect. "Here's Severino, from the stretch..." should be a phrase said more than once this spring.