MESA, AZ - MARCH 10: Chris Bassitt #40 of the Oakland Athletics pitches during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Hohokam Park on March 10, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona. The Athletics defeated the Brewers 9-1. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
At this time last year, Chris Bassitt was not a lock for the Oakland A’s rotation. The A’s were still hoping that A.J. Puk would be healthy enough to take the fifth starter role, a situation that repeats itself today. Bassitt, while he was solid in 2019, was a backup plan at best.