What will the New York Mets do if their pitching staff doesn't continue to throw the baseball at the level it has to start the season?
The Mets' rotation has arguably been the best in Major League Baseball by a wide margin, but name-wise, it certainly isn't one of the top in the league.
Yes, David Stearns is incredible at his job, and yes, the Mets have done what they've needed to do, but it's still very early, and there could be a scenario where the pitching staff starts to struggle at some point in the season.
For the Mets’ sake, they'll have to hope that happens during the earlier parts of the campaign, at least before the trade deadline, to give them an indication of what they need prior to the July deadline.
Searching for trade candidates around Major League Baseball, MLB Network's Greg Amsinger listed Chris Bassitt of the Toronto Blue Jays as a potential trade candidate.
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For a Mets team that already had Bassitt on its roster, appearing with the team during the 2022 season and posting a 3.42 ERA in 30 starts, it could make sense to consider a reunion.
"Number four, I don't think the Blue Jays are going to the World Series. I don't see them as a playoff team. Chris Bassitt has got to go. He's in a walk year… His ERA is sparkling. You could get a haul for this right-hander. He's been around the league for a while. He's kind of funky in terms of his mechanics. I like Chris Bassitt. He's number four,” he said.
The one issue with Bassitt is that the Blue Jays will likely be looking for a massive haul in return. The Mets' farm system is above average, but would they want to give up a decent package for a 36-year-old right-hander who hits free agency at the end of the offseason?
Stearns might be looking for a longer-term commitment, especially if he has to part with prospects.
However, if the deal isn't too much, trading for the 2.26-ERA All-Star would make sense.