The Baltimore Orioles just made a quiet but meaningful move in their push to stay atop the AL East, signing veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt to a one-year deal. For a team with its eyes on another deep postseason run, adding Bassitt isn’t just about plugging a hole in the rotation-it’s about reliability, leadership, and raising the floor of a pitching staff that needed a bit more certainty.
Bassitt, who lingered on the free agent market longer than expected, brings with him a track record of consistency. Last season, he posted a 3.96 ERA and 1.327 WHIP with 166 strikeouts over 170.1 innings.
Those aren’t ace-level numbers, but they’re the kind of stats that tell the story of a guy who takes the ball every fifth day and gives his team a chance to win. In today’s game, durability is currency-and Bassitt’s got it.
He’s not going to headline a rotation, but he can anchor the middle of one with the kind of dependability that Baltimore sorely needed.
What makes this move even more intriguing is how it fits into the Orioles’ broader offseason picture. They've already added thunder to the lineup with Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward, but pitching had remained relatively untouched-especially after dealing away Grayson Rodriguez in the Ward trade.
Outside of re-signing Zach Eflin, the Orioles hadn't made a big splash on the mound. Bassitt might not be flashy, but he’s a stabilizer.
He gives Baltimore a veteran presence who knows how to navigate a long season and pitch in pressure moments.
And make no mistake-Bassitt has been in those moments. His time in Toronto wasn’t just productive, it was impactful.
While his numbers were solid, what stood out was his willingness to do whatever the team needed. He even came out of the bullpen during last fall’s playoff run, putting team success ahead of personal routine.
That kind of selflessness doesn’t show up in a box score, but it resonates in a clubhouse. It’s the kind of thing that builds trust with teammates and coaches alike.
Though he missed the ALDS against the Yankees due to back inflammation, Bassitt’s presence throughout the season and into the postseason gave the Blue Jays a steadying force. He was a voice of accountability after a disappointing 2024 campaign, and he backed it up with his performance and leadership. That’s the kind of intangible value that can help a young Orioles rotation take the next step.
After finalizing the deal with Baltimore, Bassitt took a moment to reflect on his time in Toronto-and his message to the fans was heartfelt. In a social media post, he expressed gratitude for the city, the fans, and the memories he and his family made during his three-year stint north of the border.
From the birth of his youngest son to a World Series appearance, Bassitt’s time in Toronto clearly meant something to him. And the feeling was mutual.
He gave the Jays everything he had, and the fans embraced him for it.
As for the Blue Jays, the writing was on the wall. With a rotation that already features Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Cody Ponce, and José Berríos, there wasn’t a clear path for Bassitt to return-especially with the team focusing on younger arms and internal depth. Even with early spring injuries, Toronto likely saw Bassitt as a luxury they couldn’t fit into the current structure.
But for the Orioles, this is a smart, low-risk move with the potential for high reward. Bassitt brings veteran savvy, postseason experience, and a competitive edge to a team that’s already loaded with young talent. At $18.5 million, the price tag isn’t cheap-but if Bassitt delivers the way he has in recent years, that investment could pay off in a big way come October.
Orioles fans are about to see what Jays fans already know: Chris Bassitt shows up, competes, and leads. And as Baltimore looks to solidify its place as a contender in the American League, that might be exactly what they need.