Blue Jays' Chris Bassitt: Continues to expand arsenal
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Bassitt has tinkered with his positioning on the rubber this spring in order to offer hitters different angles on his already deep repertoire, Eno Sarris of The Athletic reports.
"Technically I have eight," Bassitt said last week when counting up his pitches. "I have two different changeups. To lefties, it's more of a split-change, and to righties, I have a true change." By moving around on the rubber, the veteran right-hander can give hitters more things to think about. "We're learning right now that if I slide more to the third base side it improves my slider, because I have more plate to work with," he said. "From the third base side, I can throw it straight and let it break, like how Max Scherzer does it - he's hard third base side and crossfires sliders down and away." Bassitt's secret strength since becoming a full-time starter in 2019 has been his ability to lessen the third time through the order penalty thanks to having so many pitches he trusts, and after recording a career-high 19 quality starts last season with the Mets, the 34-year-old might just top that number for the Blue Jays in 2023.
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Blue Jays' Chris Bassitt: Heads to Toronto
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The Blue Jays signed Bassitt to a three-year, $63 million contract Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The righty will be a valuable addition to the middle of Toronto's already-strong starting rotation. Bassitt had a 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 167:49 K:BB in 181.2 innings with the Mets in 2022, numbers which fully merit the roughly $21 million AAV on this new contract. He joins a remarkably tough division in the AL East, but the NL East was no slouch, either, so it shouldn't change his 2023 outlook too drastically.
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Chris Bassitt: Declines qualifying offer
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Bassitt will decline the $19.65 million qualifying offer that was extended by the Mets on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The veteran right-hander recently declined his portion of the $19 million mutual option for 2023, so it's hardly a surprise he also won't accept the qualifying offer. Bassitt will look for a mult-year deal in free agency after he finished last season with a 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 167:49 K:BB across 181.2 innings. The qualifying offer could affect his market price, since whichever team signs him will now need to give up a draft pick as compensation.
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Chris Bassitt: Passing on $19M option
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Bassitt informed the Mets on Sunday that he will decline his $19 million mutual option for 2023, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The Mets would have been happy to welcome Bassitt back at that $19 million salary figure, but the 33-year-old right-hander shouldn't have much trouble securing a multi-year deal at a higher annual average value following a strong season in New York. In his 30 starts with the Mets spanning 181.2 innings, Bassitt delivered a 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 167:49 K:BB.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Rough close to regular season
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Bassitt (15-9) took the loss during Sunday's 5-3 defeat to Atlanta, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings.
Bassitt surrendered a Dansby Swanson solo shot in the first inning and navigated a clean second before encountering trouble in the third, loading the bases with two out then permitting a walk and single to prompt his removal. The short outing was the 33-year-old's second in his last four turns, and he's compiled a middling 4.86 ERA in 20.1 innings during the stretch. He concludes the campaign with a 3.42 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 167 strikeouts in a career-high 181.2 innings across 30 starts.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Stymies former club
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Bassitt (15-8) earned the win during Friday's 9-2 victory over Oakland, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk with two strikeouts in eight innings.
After putting two runners on in the first inning, Bassitt faced the minimum through the next five frames until permitting single runs in the seventh and eighth once the game was well in hand. The 33-year-old recorded only two strikeouts for the second time in three starts, though he's now won eight of his last 10 turns -- pitching to a 2.25 ERA across 64 innings during the stretch. Bassitt's 15 wins ranks sixth in MLB and he'll look to add to that total next weekend in Atlanta.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Sharp in Saturday's win
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Bassitt (14-8) earned the win Saturday over the Pirates, allowing three hits, two walks and a hit batter while striking out eight over six scoreless innings.
Bassitt gave the Pirates very little to work with, allowing just three of the six baserunners he allowed to get into scoring position. Over his previous five outings, Bassitt had yielded 14 runs in 30 innings in a fairly average stretch of pitching. He now has a 3.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 163:45 K:BB through 171 innings across a career-high 28 starts after Saturday's strong outing. The 33-year-old is projected for a road start against his former team in Oakland next week.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Mauled by Cubs on Monday
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Bassitt (13-8) allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 3.2 innings to take the loss against the Cubs on Monday.
Bassitt got off to a strong start by retiring Chicago in order in the first inning, but things went south for him from there. Rafael Ortega tagged the right-hander for a solo homer in the second frame, and Zach McKinstry belted a two-run shot in the third to make the score 3-0. Bassitt then gave up a pair of runs on two singles and a walk in the fourth before getting pulled with two outs in the inning. The veteran hurler came into the contest having not allowed a homer over his past eight starts, and this was the first time he's allowed more than one long ball in a game since June 25. In addition, Bassitt's streak of outings without a loss came to an end at eight. He'll try to bounce back with what looks to be a favorable matchup against the Pirates this weekend.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Fans 10 in win over Bucs
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Bassitt (13-7) picked up the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Pirates, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out 10.
The right-hander fired 69 of 101 pitches for strikes in a masterful performance. Bassitt has won six straight decisions since the beginning of August, posting a 1.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB through 46.1 innings and delivering five quality starts in seven outings over that impressive stretch.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Another quality start
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Bassitt (12-7) earned the win Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over six innings against the Dodgers. He struck out four.
Bassitt surrendered both runs on a single from second baseman Chris Taylor in the second to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. The righty is 5-0 in his last seven starts with a 2.38 ERA in 45.1 innings. The 33-year-old has now pitched six innings or more in 12 of his last 13 starts.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Yields four runs
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Bassitt allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk over 7.1 innings against the Rockies on Friday. He struck out one and did not factor in the decision.
Bassitt tossed five scoreless frames before running into trouble in the sixth. He gave up three runs that inning and was later charged with one more in the eighth during the Mets' win. Bassitt has gone 4-0 with a 2.29 ERA and a 24:9 K:BB over his last six outings, lowering his season ERA to 3.34 through 24 starts. He's projected to face the Dodgers at home next week.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Picks up 10th win
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Bassitt (10-7) allowed four hits and two walks over five scoreless frames Sunday, striking out five and earning a win over the Phillies.
Bassitt has now gone three consecutive starts (20 innings) without giving up an earned run, lowering his season ERA from 3.83 to 3.27 in the process. He faced a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning Sunday but escaped without taking any damage. The 33-year-old is now sporting a 134:36 K:BB through 135 innings on the year. Bassitt is projected to take the mound in Philadelphia next week.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Fans eight in ninth win
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Bassitt (9-7) picked up the win in Monday's 5-1 victory over the Reds, allowing an unearned run on eight hits and a walk over eight innings. He struck out eight.
The veteran right-hander gave the Mets the length they needed after the team's bullpen was pushed to the breaking point over the weekend against Atlanta. Bassitt tossed 114 pitches (75 strikes) in delivering his eighth quality start in his last nine outings dating back to June 14, a stretch in which he's posted a 2.19 ERA. 0.97 WHIP and 55:11 K:BB through 61.2 innings.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Blanks opponent in seven innings
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Bassitt (8-7) earned the win against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing zero runs on six hits while striking out four and walking one over seven innings.
Bassitt was lights out Wednesday, throwing 70 of 94 pitches for strikes across seven frames. Despite allowing six hits and a walk, he was able to keep the Nats off the board. This was Bassitt's seventh quality start in his last eight appearances. Over that span, the righty has lowered his ERA from 4.01 to 3.61.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Strikes out 11 in loss
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Bassitt (7-7) took the loss against San Diego on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out 11 batters over seven innings.
Bassitt didn't give up his first hit until the fifth inning, and he set a season high with 11 punchouts in the outing. However, the Mets offense didn't manage to score until the ninth frame, and a two-run home run off the bat of Manny Machado in the sixth was all San Diego needed to tag the right-hander with the loss. Despite the disappointing outcome, this was the sixth straight quality start for Bassitt. Over that stretch, he's posted a 2.43 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 41:5 K:BB over 40.2 innings.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Collects seventh win
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Bassitt (7-6) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings in a 7-3 victory over Atlanta. He struck out six.
The right-hander has produced five straight quality starts over the last month, although that streak was briefly interrupted by a stint on the COVID-19 injured list. Bassitt sports a 2.41 ERA during that stretch, lowering his mark on the season to 3.79 with a 1.14 WHIP and 104:28 K:BB through 102 innings.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Quality start in return to mound
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Bassitt (6-6) took the loss Friday as the Mets were downed 5-2 by the Marlins, giving up two runs on six hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.
The right-hander effectively missed only one turn through the rotation while on the COVID-19 list and delivered his fourth straight quality start and 10th of the season upon his return. Bassitt left the game with the Mets down 2-1 and got stuck with the loss. The 33-year-old will take a 3.94 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 98:26 K:BB through 96 innings into his next outing.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Activated for Friday's start
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Bassitt (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of his start versus the Marlins on Friday.
The right-hander was sidelined the past week after testing positive for the virus, and he'll rejoin the rotation without the need for a minor-league rehab assignment. Since surrendering seven runs to the Padres on June 8, Bassitt has a 2.53 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB in 21.1 innings across his past three starts.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Listed as Friday's probable starter
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Bassitt (illness) is listed as the Mets' probable starter for Friday's game against the Marlins, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Manager Buck Showalter said early this week that Bassitt wouldn't be back in action until at least Thursday, but the right-hander looks like he'll be ready to return from the COVID-19-related injured list for the second game of the home series against the Marlins. Bassitt recorded a 4.70 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 30.2 innings over his five starts prior to landing on the IL.
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Mets' Chris Bassitt: Won't be back before Thursday
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Mets manager Buck Showalter said Bassitt (illness) is a "long shot" to return from the COVID-19-related injured list before Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Although a Thursday return hasn't been ruled out for Bassitt, the Mets seem prepared for Trevor Williams to make a second straight turn through the rotation in place of the right-hander. Bassitt could still have a chance at making it back from the IL at some point during the remaining three games of the series with Miami, but the Mets may be inclined to skip his upcoming turn through the rotation entirely even if he clears all COVID-19-related protocols before the weekend.
