The Baltimore Orioles have secured a one-year deal worth $18.5 million with free-agent right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt for the 2026 season, according to ESPN. Bassitt, who will turn 37 on February 22, pitched last season for the American League champion Toronto Blue Jays. During his time in Toronto, he started 31 games and made one relief appearance, throwing 170 1/3 innings, striking out 166 batters, and posting a 3.96 ERA along with a 4.01 FIP. Over his 11-year major league career, Bassitt has accumulated an ERA above 4.00, earned an All-Star nod, and finished among the top 10 in Cy Young Award voting three times.
At the start of the offseason, CBS Sports ranked Bassitt as the 34th most notable free agent in the 2025-26 class. RJ Anderson highlighted Bassitt’s pitching versatility, noting his unique ability to rely heavily on his sinker while mixing in seven additional pitches, including cutters, curveballs, four-seamers, sliders, and changeups. Although considered an average pitcher by some, Bassitt’s durability—evidenced by four consecutive seasons with 30 or more starts—and his diverse pitching arsenal make him a valuable asset during the regular season. However, it was telling when the Blue Jays chose to limit his role in the postseason.
Joining Baltimore, Bassitt will be part of a rebuilding starting rotation alongside Shane Baz, who was recently acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays. The Orioles aim to improve after a disappointing 2025 campaign where they lost 87 games and finished at the bottom of the American League East. Last year, Baltimore’s starting rotation ranked 24th in MLB for ERA and 25th for FIP, underscoring the need for upgrades.
Fan Take: This signing represents a crucial step for the Orioles as they rebuild their pitching staff and look to climb out of the AL East cellar. For baseball fans, adding a crafty and seasoned pitcher like Bassitt signals Baltimore’s intent to become more competitive, which could inject fresh excitement into one of the sport’s toughest divisions.
