Best Mets trade of the Steve Cohen era put to the test tonight

When the New York Mets acquired Chris Bassitt this offseason, they brought in what should be concerned the best trade of the Steve Cohen era—so far. It tops the Francisco Lindor/Carlos Carrasco deal because of how poorly each of them performed in year one. Add in that Lindor’s fantastic 2022 campaign came as year one of his extension, the Bassitt trade wins!

Whatever you believe about these transactions, Sunday, October 2, 2022, is the day when we learn whether or not this trade was truly the one the Mets needed.

Bassitt was brought in to be the best number three starter in baseball. Against the Atlanta Braves with an opportunity to retake the division, it’ll be put to the ultimate test.

Mets pitcher Chris Bassitt has lived up to the hype and more so far

Bassitt heads into this game with a team-leading 179 innings pitched. He’s tied with Carrasco with 15 victories but it’s his 3.27 ERA which is far more superior. In terms of reliability, there’s a case to say Bassitt has been the most of any Mets pitcher this year.

This is precisely why the Mets targeted him. During his time with the Oakland Athletics, Bassitt was consistently delivering quality performances. The only negative was a lack of opportunity. If Jacob deGrom is concerned a late-bloomer, Bassitt is in a category or two later.

There is a lot on the line for the Mets in this start. A loss and they fall two games behind Atlanta. A win and they tie the Braves right before the two each get to take on the scrubs from the division.

The Braves have gotten the best of the Mets twice in a row against their two aces. Bassitt, who would be considered a number one or two on most staffs, is about to have the weight of the season on his shoulders. He can help swing the momentum New York’s way by doing what deGrom and Max Scherzer couldn’t.

Holding the Braves offense back will be a great challenge. Is he ready? His regular season performance suggests so.