Luis Severino's trade value hinges on his potential upside despite performance volatility. A move to the Houston Astros could enhance his fantasy value by improving his win potential and ratios.
Key points
Luis Severino has performance volatility but can still miss bats.
He is viewed as a mid-rotation stabilizer rather than a true ace.
A trade to the Astros could improve his fantasy value.
His fantasy value is highly dependent on team support and development.
Luis SeverinoHouston AstrosChicago White SoxOakland Athletics
Athletics pitcher Luis Severino
Apr 18, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher Luis Severino (40) throws to a Chicago White Sox batter during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. | Scott Marshall-Imagn Images
A trade for Luis Severino is about buying upside with some volatility. He can still miss bats and provide quality innings, but his performance swings make him more of a mid-rotation stabilizer than a true ace.
In fantasy, his value is highly team-dependent on moving to a better run-support and pitching-development environment like the Houston Astros, which could improve his wins and ratios, turning him into a more reliable starter with strikeout upside.
Here's what it would take for the Astros to acquire him:
Severino has struggled early in 2026, posting a 0-2 record, 6.20 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts in 24.2 innings across five starts. A move to Houston would likely stabilize his value-better defense, coaching, and run support could bring his ERA down into the mid-4s range.
Q&A
What is Luis Severino's current trade value?
Luis Severino's trade value is considered to be based on his potential upside and ability to provide quality innings, making him a mid-rotation stabilizer.
How would a trade to the Astros impact Luis Severino's fantasy value?
A trade to the Astros could significantly enhance Severino's fantasy value by providing better run support and a favorable pitching-development environment.
What are the key factors influencing Luis Severino's performance?
Severino's performance is influenced by his ability to miss bats, the volatility in his game, and the quality of the team he plays for.
What would it take for the Astros to acquire Luis Severino?
The specifics of what it would take for the Astros to acquire Luis Severino are not detailed, but it would likely involve a trade package that reflects his potential and current performance.
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For fantasy, he shifts from a risky streamer to a matchup-based starter with upside, especially in deeper leagues where strikeouts still play.
A.J. Blubaugh (to the Athletics):
Houston Astros pitcher A.J. Blubaugh
Feb 14, 2024; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Houston Astros pitcher A.J. Blubaugh (69) works out during spring training at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Blubaugh's 2026 numbers (2-2, 6.19 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 14 K in 16 IP over 11 appearances) reflect inconsistency in a swingman role. With Oakland, he'd likely get a longer runway-potentially moving into the rotation.
That opportunity boosts his fantasy outlook slightly; he becomes a deep-league speculative add, especially if he starts and can stretch innings, though ratios remain a concern.
Zach Cole (to the Athletics):
Cole broke out in 2025, hitting .279/.377/.539 with 19 HR, 65 RBI, and 18 SB in 97 games, plus strong production across Double-A, Triple-A, and a brief MLB stint.
With the Athletics, he'd have a clearer path to everyday at-bats, which is huge for fantasy. His power-speed combo makes him a sneaky sleeper in AL-only and deeper mixed leagues, with potential to grow into a 20/15-type contributor if he sticks in the lineup.
Why The Astros Make The Trade
Athletics pitcher Luis Severino
Apr 1, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Athletics pitcher Luis Severino (40) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Houston Astros would make this deal out of necessity more than luxury. At 10-16 and sitting last in the AL West, their season is already drifting, and the biggest reason is a rotation that's been gutted by injuries.
That kind of attrition forces a win-now team to act quickly, even if it means dealing from their prospect depth. Bringing in Luis Severino gives them a needed stabilizer-someone who can take the ball every fifth day, eat innings, and keep them competitive while they try to climb back into the race.
In this context, giving up a mid-tier arm like Blubaugh and a bat like Cole becomes a reasonable price just to stop the bleeding and keep their playoff window alive.
Why The Athletics Make The Trade
Houston Astros outfielder Zach Cole
Sep 27, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Houston Astros outfielder Zach Cole (16) steals second base against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium. | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
For the Athletics, this kind of move is about threading the needle between competing now and building something sustainable. Sitting at 13-12 and first in the AL West, they're ahead of schedule, but not necessarily in a position where going all-in makes sense.
Trading Luis Severino allows them to shed salary and reduce risk tied to his 2027 player option, while still staying competitive in the short term.
By acquiring players like A.J. Blubaugh and Zach Cole, they add cost-controlled talent that can contribute either soon (Blubaugh as rotation depth) or in the near future (Cole as an everyday bat).
It's a classic "retool on the fly" approach: they don't punt the season, but they convert a volatile veteran asset into multiple pieces that help both now and later. If they keep winning, the depth helps; if they regress, they've already strengthened their future core.
