3 Jameson Taillon replacements Yankees could sign at Winter Meetings

2. Chris Bassitt

Why all the Chris Bassitt hate in Flushing? Because he’s not Justin Verlander or Carlos Rodón? Man, Mets fans really became Yankee fans quick after decades of making fun of their hubris. Jealously’s a difficult thing.

Scheduled to make the most money out of anyone on this list, Bassitt turned down the qualifying offer, as well as his half of a $19 million mutual option with the Mets (which the team apparently wouldn’t have turned down, considering they floated $19.65 million on the QO). Bassitt clearly values long-term security, but is also probably looking for ~$20 million annually, especially after a 15-9, 3.42 ERA season at the age of 33.

Bassitt as your No. 3 wasn’t quite as appealing as Mets fans had hoped for, once October rolled around. Bassitt and Montas as the Yankees’ 4-5 options, though? Pretty workable, if New York is serious about making their promised upgrades in the name of Aaron Judge sooner rather than later.

The wily veteran is the least-likely name on this list to end up in New York, but would provide an intriguing change-of-pace slotted in between Luis Severino and Montas, in much the same way Nestor Cortes works nicely sandwiched between Gerrit Cole and Severino. That’s a funky rotation, if we’ve ever seen one (and we haven’t, considering the Yankees’ rotation is usually made up of four Darrell Rasners).

Come to the dark side, C. Bass. Be the pitcher Brandon McCarthy was always meant to be back in 2014.