Toronto Blue Jays agree to 3-year $63 million deal with Chris Bassitt
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The Toronto Blue Jays agree to a three-year, $63 million contract with Chris Bassitt, earning him the third-highest average salary among pitchers to sign in free agency this offseason.
The Toronto Blue Jays have reached an agreement with top-tier free agent pitcher Chris Bassitt to a three-year, $63 million contract pending a physical, according to ESPN.
Bassitt, 34, was one of the most sought-after free-agent pitchers on the market and will earn the third-highest average annual salary awarded to a free-agent pitcher this year behind Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander.
Bassitt has kept himself in elite company in recent years, as his 3.29 ERA since 2018 ranks 11th in MLB among pitchers with at least 100 starts.
Chris Bassitt signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday
Over eight major league seasons, Bassitt has amassed a 46-34 record with a 3.45 ERA, along with 671 strikeouts and just 228 walks in 737⅓ innings pitched.
He received Cy Young Award votes in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but better prepared himself for free agency with a workhorse performance for the Mets in 2022.
While with the Mets, he pitched to 15 wins, nine losses, a 3.42 ERA, and 167 strikeouts in 30 starts.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound starter has made a career of confounding hitters with a wide range of pitches that vary from a fastball that sits at 93 mph but is located with pinpoint precision, along with a cutter, slider , curve ball and change.
Bassitt will join a Blue Jays rotation that features names like Alek Manoah (pictured)
Toronto’s rotation will now feature Bassitt along with All-Stars Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios, who signed a no-figure deal last year but struggled to be productive.
To round out the expensive rotation in Toronto, the Blue Jays gave Hyun-Jin Ryu a four-year, $80 million contract ahead of the 2020 season. He had a strong season during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, but underwent Tommy surgery. John just six months ago.
Toronto will also field a solid lineup that includes power hitters like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, George Springer and Matt Chapman. They also recently added outfielders Teoscar Hernandez and Kevin Kiermaier. Inside sources have stated that they are also looking to add another receiver.
Before joining the New York Mets, Bassitt pitched for the Oakland Athletics for six seasons.