Toronto Blue Jays agree to 3-year $63 million deal with Chris Bassitt

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a deal with top tier free agent pitcher Chris Bassitt on a three-year, $63 million contract pending a physical, according to ESPN. 

The 34-year-old Bassitt was one of the most sought-after free agent pitchers on the market and will net the third highest average annual salary given to a free agent pitcher this year behind Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander.

Bassitt has kept himself in elite company the last few 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 Monday

Over eight major league seasons, Bassitt has accumulated 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 set himself up best for free agency with a workhorse performance for the Mets in 2022. 

While with the Mets he threw for 15 wins, nine losses, a ERA of 3.42, and 167 strikeouts while starting 30 games.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound starter has made a career out of confusing hitters with a wide array of pitches that vary from a fastball that sits at 93 mph but is located with pinpoint precision, along with a cutter, slider, curveball and changeup. 

Bassitt will join a Blue Jays rotation that features names such as Alek Manoah (pictured)

Toronto’s rotation will now feature Bassitt along with All-Stars Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman, and Jose Berrios who signed a none-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, $80million deal before the 2020 season. He had a strong season during the COVID-shortened 2020 season but underwent Tommy John surgery only six months ago.

Toronto will also field a solid lineup that includes potent hitters like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, George Springer and Matt Chapman. They also recently added outfielders Teoscar Hernández and Kevin Kiermaier. Sources within have stated that they are also still looking to add another catcher.

Before joining the New York Mets, Bassitt pitched for the Oakland Athletics for six seasons

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