Chris Bassitt Makes $19 Million Mets Option Decision

If the Mets are going to retain Chris Bassitt, they’ll have to sign him on the open market. 

As expected, the right-hander will decline his $19 million mutual option, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported Sunday, meaning Bassitt will be available for all 30 teams to pursue for what likely will be a multiyear free-agent deal. 

The Mets will sign up, however, for another year of Daniel Vogelbach. The club is planning to pick up the slugger’s $1.5 million option for 2023, per Heyman, after the Mets acquired him before the trade deadline this past summer. 

The option news came on the same day the Mets locked up one of their other free agents, closer Edwin Diaz, by agreeing on a five-year, $102 million contract. 

Bassitt will be among the top free-agent pitchers beyond the top tier of Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw and Carlos Rodon. 

The sturdy 33-year-old posted a 3.42 ERA across 181 ²/₃ innings this season after the Mets acquired him from the Athletics in March in exchange for a pair of pitching prospects. 

The Mets can still extend a qualifying offer of $19.65 million to Bassitt, which would ensure them draft-pick compensation if he signs with another club. 

Vogelbach, meanwhile, hit .255 with six home runs and a .830 OPS in 55 games with the Mets after he was acquired from the Pirates for reliever Colin Holderman. Vogelbach, who will turn 30 next month, offers a left-handed bat at designated hitter, potentially part of a platoon.