The Mets had one of the best starting rotations in baseball before the game ended. Now, that group has become even stronger.
New York acquires right-handed starter Chris Bassitt from Oakland, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports. Based on New York Post’s Joel Shermanprospects JT Ginn and Adam Oller will return to Grade A.
Bassitt joins a group of Mets starters who have been supporting this season as the team signs Max Scherzer to a three-year, $130 million deal in November. New York will launch a spin. led by Jacob deGrom, Scherzer and Bassitt with the likes of Taijuan Walker, Carlos Carrasco and David Peterson also participating.
Bassitt, 33, was a starter on his first All-Star selection during last year’s A’s season. He scored a 3.15 ERA in 27 starts, beating 159 shots in 157 1/3 innings. He ended the year with a 130 ERA+, meaning he’s better than the league average (100) in his position.
Bassitt has been with Team A since 2015. They bought him from the White Sox along with Marcus Semien and others after his rookie season. He’s been a dominant force in the Oakland rotation since then, placing in the top 10 voted by Cy Young in 2020 (eighth) and 2021 (10th).
Ginn is a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher who is near the top of the Mets ranch system. Oller is a bit older at 27, but after throwing well in Double-A and Triple-A last season, he anticipates making an appearance in the major leagues soon.
