A's deal Bassitt to Mets for pitching prospects Ginn, Oller

MESA, Ariz. -- Prior to MLB’s lockout, early Hot Stove buzz centered around the A’s fielding offers from clubs interested in their core group of players. With the transaction window open again, those conversations picked back up and led to a deal on Saturday.

The A’s announced the trade of right-hander Chris Bassitt to the Mets in exchange for righty pitching prospects J.T. Ginn and Adam Oller. Ginn, who was New York’s second-highest-ranked pitching prospect, enters Oakland’s Top 30 prospect list ranked No. 6, while Oller slots in at No. 25.

Ginn, who was seen as a first-round talent coming out of Mississippi State, fell to the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft due to Tommy John surgery and questions over his signability. Working his way back from injury, he debuted in the Mets organization in 2021 and held up well. He made 18 combined starts at Low-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn and went 5-5 with a 3.03 ERA and 81 strikeouts across 92 innings. The 22-year-old is listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and profiles as a starter who could quickly move through the A’s system.

Oller, 27, was selected by the Mets in the Minor League portion of the Rule 5 Draft in 2019 after he nearly quit baseball following a stint in independent ball earlier that year. Instead, he stuck around through the pandemic and returned in 2021 for a breakout year, going 9-4 with a 3.45 ERA and 138 strikeouts across 120 combined innings at Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse.

As the A’s get younger with a pair of prospects, they part ways with a veteran in Bassitt who emerged as both a clubhouse leader and ace pitcher last season. The 33-year-old earned his first All-Star nod in what was by far the most impressive campaign of his career, finishing 12-4 with a 3.15 ERA and 159 strikeouts over 157 1/3 innings.

On Sunday, Bassitt posted a message on social media thanking the members of the organization who helped over his seven seasons with the club.

"For 7 years I've had the privilege to call Oakland home," Bassitt wrote. "The amount of people that have pushed me in the right direction is something I'll cherish forever. Yall have helped me grow into a better husband, father, and person. Thank you Oakland. I didn't deserve you. Forever Go A's."

Bassitt was among a handful of A’s who are set to receive a high salary bump through arbitration this year, with Cot’s Baseball Contracts projecting his number at $8.5 million for the 2022 season. Given the situation, he might not be the club’s only player dealt this spring.

Several teams have inquired about first baseman Matt Olson, notably the Braves, as they deal with the free-agency frenzy surrounding Freddie Freeman. Other players whose names have been linked to various trade rumors include Matt Chapman, Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas.