The majority of news in reference to New York Mets pitchers as of late has been negative. Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Tylor Megill are all currently on the injured list. However, the Mets finally had some positive news stem from their pitching rotation. New York and Chris Bassitt agreed to a 1-year, $8.8 million dollar deal to avoid arbitration, per Ken Rosenthal. The deal includes a mutual option for 2023 as well.

Bassitt was acquired by the Mets from the A's during Oakland's offseason firesafe. The right-hander is quietly enjoying a successful year for the Mets. He has posted a quality 2.77 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and has 49 strikeouts compared to just 13 walks. His performance has been of the utmost importance for New York given their pitching injuries.

The Mets likely would have made this deal with Chris Bassitt regardless of the circumstances. But locking him up for 2022 and potentially 2023 adds a much-needed element of stability given the injury concerns surrounding Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and the pitching staff as a whole. Bassitt has made at least 27 starts in the past two full 162 game seasons (which came in 2019 and 2021 given that 2020 was a shortened 60 game season).

The Mets are hopeful Bassitt can continue pitching well this year. He was already a valuable piece to the puzzle, but he has emerged as a front of the rotation arm with New York's co-aces on the injured list.

New York currently holds a comfortable 7.5 game lead in the National League East ahead of the Phillies and Braves. Bassitt will look to help the Mets maintain their division advantage.