Could Chris Bassitt be a fit in KC?


The Royals starting rotation in 2022 was a disaster aside from Zack Greinke and Brady Singer. Kansas City recently cleaned house by parting ways with longtime GM/VP Dayton Moore, Manager Mike Matheny and Pitching Coach Cal Eldred. The team this offseason might be more willing to spend a bit more money on pitching than in the past few years, thanks to the team's young group of players in Brady Singer, Bobby Witt Jr., and others. The Athletics originally signed Bassitt to a one year deal worth $8.8 million with a 2023 mutual option for the 2023 season worth $19 million. The 33-year-old posted a 3.42 ERA with New York; while that's a good ERA, it's pretty unlikely the Mets will pick up his option for the 2023 season. According to spotract.com, Bassitt's market value sits at $62 million over three seasons. Bassitt's $62 million estimated salary could be slightly out of Kansas City's price range; however, I believe the team could sign him to a contract in the high 40’s or mid 50’s price range. Bassit earlier this past season told sny.tv: "A lot of people are short-term thinking right now," Bassitt said. "We have such a special group that I don't want to really be a distraction and hurt that in any way. So if something happens, it happens. If something does happen, I'm really happy about that. I love it here. Love everyone here so far. So, yeah, I'd love to stay here long term. But, again, I'm so focused right now on this year and what this team needs right now that it's hard to think about '23, '24, whatever, how many years. So, again, I'm just focused as best as I can right now what this team needs right now -- and that's it." Bassitt, in my opinion, could be a number two or three starter in Kansas City behind Brady Singer for a few seasons. At 33-years old, Bassitt's career ERA is a 3.45 with a 46-34 win-loss record. It's unclear whether the Royals are going to spend big this offseason after a very disappointing 2022 season, but it wouldn't be a total surprise to see the team throw a pretty penny at a free agent starter. Bassitt is 33 almost 34, so the team wouldn't commit long-term to the right hander. The Royals do have the history of making big starting pitcher additions through free agency or via trade from James Shields to Ian Kennedy, but that was during the Dayton Moore era. Now that Moore and company are out of the picture, it is unclear how JJ Picollo will attack this offseason in his first season as the Royals General Manager. Regardless of what happens in free agency this offseason, I believe we could see some big free agent signing from the Royals as they look to maybe compete for a postseason spot in 2023. Still, I think the team might have to add a second arm to the rotation if the young arms in the minors don't develop and they don't bring back Zack Greinke.  Bassit has a six pitch mix that includes a sinker, cutter, slider, curveball, four-seam fastball and a changeup. Kansas City is in need of a starter or two, depending on how some of the young arms down on the farm progress, and I believe the addition of a starting pitcher or two definitely boosts the team in 2023.

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