For all intents and purposes, Luis Severino represents the Yankees' big-time trade deadline acquisition.
This isn't the last-place Red Sox unleashing Henry Owens for his major-league debut with a "what do we have to lose?" approach, which they did Tuesday. With the division-leading Yankees eyeing October and a rotation shrouded in uncertainty -- Michael Pineda on the disabled list, Masahiro Tanaka seeking a return to the ace-like form he displayed much of last year, CC Sabathia's continued struggles -- Severino's debut Wednesday night against the Red Sox will be more than a simple rookie audition.
"If I traded for one of the big- name starters," general manager Brian Cashman said, "they'd feel pressure, too.