New York Mets: Chris Bassitt Is Their Most Crucial Acquisition
The New York Mets made a lot of offseason moves that’s been key to the team’s 26-14 start in 2022.
The biggest one was definitely signing 3-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer.
But the most important acquisition has to be, trading for another starter Chris Bassitt. And his acquisition will be even more crucial in light of Scherzer’s injury.
Even before Scherzer’s injury, acquiring Bassitt, was most important. Bassitt may not have the pitching credibility that Max has. But Chris was an All-Star last season for the Oakland A’s after going 12-4 with a 3.15 ERA in 2021.
The biggest beneficiary for the Mets in the Bassitt trade is that it gave even more depth to their starting rotation. The Mets have the kind of depth in their rotation that they didn’t have last year. Once ace Jacob deGrom was shut down in the second half, the Mets floundered from first place in the National League East and missed the playoffs.
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With Bassitt this season, New York has gone off to a 26-14 start and 1st place in the NL East. And this is without deGrom again.
Because Chris has been big in this rotation along with the others. Bassitt has been a solid No.2 starter behind Scherzer. Currently, he is 4-2 with a 2.77 ERA. Chris has made eight starts and going at least 5 innings in all of them. He also has given up over 3 runs only twice in each start.
Bassitt has also brought a calm demeanor on the mound that has rubbed off on all the other starters. Even when he gets into jams, he has remained cool and gotten out of most of them.
However, Scherzer will be out for the next 6 to 8 weeks with a strained oblique. Without him and deGrom, the Mets’ strong rotation has taken a hit.
But this is where Bassitt’s presence will be felt and appreciated. He will be the Mets’ No.1 starter probably over the next two months.
Bassitt may not be your typical ace. But the Mets did not have him last season. They could’ve definitely used someone like him in the second half when deGrom was out.
The Mets may struggle to win consistently without deGrom, Scherzer, and also Tylor Megill. But Bassitt’s presence is the reason why they will not collapse as they did in the second half of 2021.
