Mets trade for Chris Bassitt increases trade value of Reds right-handed trio

On Saturday, the New York Mets traded pitchers J.T. Ginn and Adam Oller to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for right-hander Chris Bassitt. An Ohio native, Bassitt put up solid numbers in Oakland last season, going 12-4 with a 3.15 ERA. That deal only increases the trade value of the Cincinnati Reds trio of starters.

Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, and Tyler Mahle have all been rumored to be of interest to multiple teams throughout the league. In fact, Mahle's name recently surfaced as a pitcher the Mets were actually interested in. That rumor will likely be put to bed with New York's acquisition of Bassitt.

Latest trade increases the trade value of the Reds trio of starters.

If the Mets are going to surrender prospects like Ginn and Oller in exchange for Bassitt, then the value of Cincinnati's three starters has only increased. Bassitt was an All-Star last season and finished in the Top 10 of the AL Cy Young vote the past two seasons. But, the 33-year-old is a free agent after the upcoming season.

Bassitt isn't half the strike-thrower that Mahle is. Last season, Bassitt recorded 159 punch outs (23.8% K-rate) to Mahle's 180 strikeouts (28.1% K-rate). Where Bassitt does hold an advantage over the Reds hurler is in the base on balls department. Bassitt has posted a 6.2% walk-rate over the past two seasons combined, while Mahle's BB-rate is sitting at 8.9%.

In all fairness, Chris Bassitt compares quite well to Sonny Gray, and the return the Oakland A's received in return for the veteran pitcher should give Nick Krall some insight into what the Cincinnati Reds may be able to receive in return for the Vanderbilt alum's services.

J.T. Ginn was a highly-regarded pitcher in the New York Mets organization. The right-hander, who underwent Tommy John surgery prior to last season, bounced back with a nice performance in 2021, covering nearly 100 innings and posting a 3.03 ERA. Both Ginn and Adam Oller are now viewed as Top 20 prospects in the Athletics' farm system per MLB Pipeline.

This trade isn't even in the ballpark of what the Cincinnati Reds can expect in return if the organization decides to trade Luis Castillo. La Piedra is going to command at least a Top 50 prospect from whichever team comes calling, and that'll just be enough for Nick Krall not to hang up the phone. This latest trade between the Mets and A's is good news for the Reds.