DENVER — Since coming to the Mets in a March trade from Oakland, Chris Bassitt has spoken about how much he’s enjoyed his introduction to New York. He’s now given himself a chance to extend that marriage beyond this season.
The Mets and Bassitt agreed Saturday to an $8.8 million contract, avoiding an arbitration hearing that would have taken place Monday. The deal is worth $8.65 million for this season and includes a mutual $19 million option for 2023. That includes a $150,000 buyout, bringing the total guarantee to $8.8 million.
Bassitt, 33, has thrived since arriving in New York, going 4-2 with a 2.77 ERA over his first eight starts. He’s currently the Mets’ No. 1 starter, with both Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer on the injured list.
In particular, Bassitt has lauded his relationship with Scherzer, a likeminded veteran who is under contract with the Mets through 2024.
“Going into a free-agency year, and then being put on this team, it kind of makes the whole free-agency year feel completely irrelevant,” Bassitt said earlier this week. “It’s such a cool opportunity to be able to be with deGrom and Scherzer and just learn what makes them so great.”
Bassitt had requested $9 million from the Mets in advance of arbitration, while the team had countered at $8.3 million.