Sevy gifts Spence a Rolex for jersey No. 40

MESA, Ariz. -- Mitch Spence knew he would have very little leverage to negotiate for his jersey No. 40 when the Athletics signed Luis Severino this offseason. That¡¯s just how it goes when one player is fresh off his rookie season while the other is a nine-year Major League veteran.

Once Severino held up the home white No. 40 Athletics jersey with his name on the back during his introductory press conference after signing a three-year, $67 million contract in December, it became clear to Spence that he would be switching numbers in 2025. Still, despite having the veteran advantage, Severino approached Spence inside the A¡¯s clubhouse at Hohokam Stadium on the first day of Spring Training and insisted on compensating the 26-year-old right-hander.

¡°When I first met him last week, he was like, ¡®I owe you something,¡¯¡± Spence said. ¡°He was kind of like,¡¯ What would you like?¡¯¡±

Spence is an avid collector of watches. It began with ¡°cheap¡± watches in high school before treating himself to a new timepiece for each milestone he hits as a professional. Still searching for a new item to celebrate his first year in the big leagues last season, Spence told Severino he had been eyeing a Rolex GMT Master II as his next purchase.

Two days later, that exact watch showed up at Spence¡¯s locker with a thank you note from Severino.

¡°I was like, ¡®This is kind of what I¡¯m looking at,¡¯ and he was like, ¡®I got you,¡¯¡± Spence said. ¡°It was pretty awesome that he did that. Super generous of him. ¡­ It¡¯s pretty incredible.¡±

The new watch is the second Rolex in Spence¡¯s collection. He bought himself a Rolex Day-Date 40 model shortly after making his Major League debut against the Guardians at the Coliseum last year. It¡¯s quite a generous present, as the price of a new Rolex GMT Master II runs close to $20,000.

¡°I think Mitch might have won on that one,¡± A¡¯s manager Mark Kotsay said with a laugh. ¡°I never had the pleasure of being able to give up my number for a Rolex. If anybody wants [my] No. 7, it¡¯s definitely negotiable for a Rolex.¡±

Severino, also a big fan of watches, secured the No. 40 he has donned for the entirety of his big league career. But the gesture was more about showing his appreciation for his new teammate.

¡°It¡¯s just tradition,¡± Severino said in Spanish. ¡°I would feel happy if somebody gifted me a watch. I wanted to make sure I got him something that he would appreciate and always remember.¡±

Spence has now switched his jersey to No. 28. It¡¯s an homage to his father, Craig, who wore that number during his junior college baseball playing days at Saddleback College in Southern California.

¡°It¡¯s a cool way to honor him,¡± Spence said.

This Spring Training is very different for Spence. Last year as a Rule 5 pick from the Yankees, he entered camp with the anxiety of knowing he had to perform well just to earn a spot and stick with the A¡¯s or risk getting offered back to New York.

After a solid rookie year which he began in the bullpen before moving into the rotation and ended with a 4.58 ERA in 35 games (24 starts) with 126 strikeouts over 151 1/3 innings, Spence will still have to battle for an Opening Day roster spot, but his familiarity and ability to perform multiple roles certainly boosts his case.

¡°He looks great,¡± Kotsay said of Spence. ¡°He¡¯s come into camp more physical. ¡­ There¡¯s an opportunity for him to be in the rotation or to pitch out of the bullpen. He showed that ability last year. We¡¯ll see how the roster shapes up in terms of pitching and how Mitch can help us win the most amount of games.¡±

As for Severino, the 31-year-old right-hander is meshing well with his new team. Teammates and coaches are raving not only about his professionalism in his preparation but also his willingness to stand in on bullpen sessions of others and offer advice to pitchers on the roster like Osvaldo Bido, another expected member of the A¡¯s starting rotation this season.

¡°He¡¯s great on and off the field,¡± Kotsay said of Severino. ¡°I¡¯ve heard nothing but great things. The leadership and the experience that he has that he¡¯s going to be able to share with these guys is really invaluable.¡±