Jun 8, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets are “hoping for a return” of Chris Bassitt next season, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Passan reports that “behind-the-scenes action” could lead to Bassitt signing during baseball’s Winter Meetings that begin next week.
Bassitt, who rejected the Mets’ one-year qualifying offer this offseason, lead the team with 181.1 IP in 2022. He finished the the year with a 3.42 ERA and a 113 ERA+ to go along with 167 strikeouts after coming over in a trade with the Athletics. Bassitt provided stability to the Mets’ rotation when Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom were dealing with injuries and figures to be an attractive name on the free agent market after deGrom, Justin Verlander, Carlos Rodón, and Kodai Senga.
Passan also reports that there is a more robust market for Taijuan Walker that could lead to him coming off the board early, partially due to the fact that there is no qualifying offer attached to his free agency.
The Mets rotation currently includes Scherzer, Carlos Carrasco and a lot of question marks. David Peterson, Tylor Megill, Elieser Hernández, and Joey Lucchesi could all be possibilities for the back end of the rotation, but the team figures to be active in free agency to sign at least two starters.
DeGrom is still the Mets’ top priority, according to Passan, but the team has also reportedly checked in on Verlander, Rodón, Senga, and Jameson Taillon. Passan also reports that Rodón and deGrom are both candidates to sign within the next week.
Other options on the starting pitching market include Ross Stripling, Andrew Heaney, Zach Eflin, José Quintana, Sean Manaea, Corey Kluber, Johnny Cueto, Michael Lorenzen, Michael Wacha, and Kyle Gibson.
