While the New York Mets focus on trying to retain right-hander and two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom this offseason, or potentially finding a replacement in Justin Verlander or Carlos Rodon should deGrom walk, the team is reportedly focused on trying to retain another durable starter.
According to SNY, the TV home of the Mets, the team has expressed interest in trying to re-sign veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt.
The right-hander’s market is reportedly heating up ahead of the Winter Meetings.
The 34-year-old started 30 games for the Mets in 2022 after being acquired from the Oakland Athletics along with outfielder Mark Canha.
Bassitt won 15 games and posted a 3.42 ERA in 181.2 innings of work.
The Mets would reportedly like to have Chris Bassitt back in New York.
His market is heating up ahead of the Winter Meetings: https://t.co/DAVBeNC6B9 pic.twitter.com/lQNfbAQ26c
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) November 30, 2022
Mets Hope To Re-Sign Bassitt
Retaining Bassitt would be a good move for the Mets, especially if deGrom walks.
Bassitt could potentially be viewed as a fallback option should the Mets lose their ace in free agency.
deGrom has been approached by the Texas Rangers.
But Bassitt is a quality veteran arm and somebody who can give the Mets the innings they need.
A top two combination of Bassitt and ace Max Scherzer would still be quite deadly, though having Bassitt and deGrom back to go along with Scherzer would be ideal for New York.
The Mets won 101 games during the regular season, barely missing out on their first National League East title since 2015.
New York fell short against the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Series.
But with money to spend, the Mets can likely afford to keep both Bassitt and deGrom, while also looking elsewhere in case the latter departs.
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