As the 2025 MLB season rolls on, this year's NL East picture is shaping up to be a two-team race. The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets entered Sunday's action tied for the division lead with matching 9-5 records, while the Miami Marlins (7-7), Washington Nationals (6-8), and Atlanta Braves (4-10) continue falling behind in the race with each passing day.
Even though the NL East rivals are tied atop the mountain, certain off-field aspects couldn't make the Phillies and Mets any more different. That's especially true after it was recently revealed that New York's ineptitude cost the club a key free agent this past offseason.
Phillies News: Mets Lost Luis Severino in Free Agency Due to Ineptitude
Before this weekend's series against the Mets, Oakland A's starting pitcher Luis Severino was faced with many questions about his former team. The 31-year-old righty revealed that he "was trying to stay" in New York this past winter, however, the Mets refused to play ball even though he was looking for a pay cut.
"I told my agent to ask (the Mets) for two years, $40 million," Severino admitted, adding that he loved New York's trainers and environment (h/t @SNYtv). "I was getting $22 million a year (in Oakland) for three years... I was trying to sacrifice more money by staying in a place that I know can get better. In the end, like I said, I was not in their plans."
Luis Severino talked about his free agency and said he tried to stay with the Mets and asked for less money
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 11, 2025
"I told my agent I'd stay for 2 years & $40m. What my agent told me the only offer they were going to give me was the same deal they gave [Frankie] Montas (2 years, $34m)" pic.twitter.com/DKu86SqKGb
Severino was hopeful that the Mets would be open to his discounted demands, but that wasn't the case. The veteran hurler's agent allegedly told him that New York was unwilling to give him a bigger deal than the one they gave to RHP Frankie Montas (two years, $34 million).
The Mets' decision to replace Severino with Montas would be one thing if there was a big difference between the asking prices. The fact that New York moved on over a $6 million difference is nothing short of embarrassing, especially with how well the two-time MLB All-Star played with the Phillies' rival last season.
Severino made 31 appearances for the Mets in 2024, marking his first 30-game season since 2018. He was one of his former club's top hurlers by going 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA and 1.242 WHIP during that stretch, racking up 161 strikeouts across 182 innings of work. He also pitched to a 3.24 in three postseason appearances.
Meanwhile, Montas is a nine-year MLB veteran without a single individual accolade to his name. The 32-year-old RHP was easily outperformed by Severino last season (7-11, 4.84 ERA in 30 starts) and has yet to even play in 2025 after sustaining a high-grade lat strain in February, potentially keeping him out of the lineup until May.
At the end of the day, the Mets' offseason gaff could benefit the Phillies now that they no longer share a division with Severino. He's been a thorn in Philadelphia's thigh throughout his career, owning a 2-0 record and 2.84 ERA in three all-time matchups.
It won't be long until the Phillies can rub the Mets' Severino-related blunder in their faces. Rob Thomson's club will be traveling to Citi Field for a three-game series beginning on Monday, Apr. 21, leaving only a week until the NL East rivals' first 2025 showdown.
Speaking of which, FanDuel Sportsbook is currently favoring the Phillies (+120) to win the NL East, whereas the Mets are a near second at +135 odds.
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