Former Blue Jays All-Star believes free agent Chris Bassitt would prove invaluable in bullpen role for Toronto
Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
After the Toronto Blue Jays signed two starting pitchers, is there still a path to bring back Chris Bassitt?
Shortly after the World Series ended and the Blue Jays fell just short of their ultimate goal, Bassitt joined many other Blue Jays remarked that they hoped to return to this club and try again next season.
Bassitt is a free agent this offseason after coming off a three-year, $63 million contract with the Blue Jays in which he enjoyed some of the most successful seasons of his career.
Bassitt has worked his whole career as a starter and certainly deserves a hefty price tag to start games for a wide number of teams, but with the Jays' recent signing of one of the top free agent pitchers in Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce from the KBO, Toronto's rotation has become rather full.
Former Blue Jays infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield said recently on the 6TH Inning Stretch Podcast, that he'd like to see the Blue Jays bring Bassitt back to Toronto.
"I would like for them to see if they could get Bassitt back, maybe even bring Bassitt back as the 6-7 guy in the bullpen. He did a great job with that in the post season. I think he's at a point in his career, especially in a place like Toronto where he'd be willing to take that on. I haven't talked to him about this so hopefully I'm not putting words in his mouth, but that would be a fun thing to see if Toronto were to sign him as the long guy in the pen or even a leverage guy because he is really good at that. I think it would be a challenge that he would be willing to take on".
Bassitt proved invaluable in bullpen role with the Blue Jays during the postseason
Bassitt pitched 8.2 innings of relief in the playoffs this year to the tune of a 1.04 ERA (one earned run) including five appearances in the World Series worth six innings of work. In many ways, Bassitt saved his best for when the team needed it most.
Bassitt had gone six consecutive playoff outings without allowing an earned run until Game 7 of the World Series where he finally seceded one.
He only allowed three hits and two walks over this span, giving him an incredible 0.577 WHIP in the playoffs this season.
Suffice to say, Bassitt exceeded expectations in his stint as a reliever, and this could signify a different role in his future.
It's still obviously very up in the air whether Bassitt would be open to a role change heading into his age-37 season.
He likely won't get a very lengthy deal due to his age and will only reach two or three seasons at its longest possibility, and Toronto has a soft spot for the veteran righty.
Not only is there a will from Bassitt's side for a reunion, but the Blue Jays certainly recognize the work that he's put in for them over his three-year stint as one of Toronto's most reliable arms.
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