MLB Rumors: Mets Hopeful Of Bringing Back Starter, But AL Team Looms

Three-fifths of the New York Mets' starting rotation is on the free agent market. With Jacob deGrom, Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker listening to offers from other teams, the Orange And Blue need to do all they can to keep some semblance of their staff in order, behind Max Scherzer. 

And while deGrom remains priority No. 1 from the rotation, a report today from MLB Insider Jeff Passan is that they are "hopeful" of bringing back Bassitt. 

The Mets would reportedly like to have Chris Bassitt back in New York.

His market is heating up ahead of the Winter Meetings: https://t.co/DAVBeNC6B9 pic.twitter.com/lQNfbAQ26c

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) November 30, 2022

Passan says that there is some "behind-the-scenes action that could portend a signing" of Bassitt during next week's Winter Meetings, and that "the Mets are hoping for a return" of the 33-year-old. 

Bassitt, after several strong seasons near the top of rotations first with the Oakland A's and then this past season in Queens, is expected to land a deal somewhere in the range of 3 years, $60M. 

But another baseball insider claims that Bassitt will have a very interested suitor back in the American League. 

.@jonmorosi says the #Orioles are a "really interesting team to follow" in the market for free agent RHP Chris Bassitt: https://t.co/2oouA9snIG

— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) November 30, 2022

Jon Morosi feels that the Baltimore Orioles are a "really interesting team to follow" as the Bassitt market shakes out, likely next week at the Winter Meetings.

The right-hander had a 3.42 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with a 167:49 K/BB ratio over 30 starts with the Mets in 2022. He was a Top 10 finisher in Cy Young balloting in both 2020 and 2021. 

Photo: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports