The Baltimore Orioles have reportedly made an addition to their rotation.
Baltimore had been searching for pitching help, and on Wednesday, they have reportedly made a major addition. MLB insider Jeff Passan of ESPN reported on X that Baltimore has reportedly agreed to a deal with former Toronto Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt.
“Right-hander Chris Bassitt and the Baltimore Orioles are in agreement on a one-year, $18.5 million contract, sources tell ESPN,” Passan wrote on X. Bassitt, 36, joins an overhauled O’s rotation that also added Shane Baz and re-signed Zach Eflin to join Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, and Dean Kremer.
“Chris Bassitt’s deal with the Orioles, which is pending physical, includes a $3 million signing bonus and $500,000 in incentives if he starts 27 games. Which he has done each of the last five seasons, during which his 880.1 innings rank eighth among all MLB pitchers.”
Bassitt completed his three-year, $63 million deal with the Blue Jays and was a key part of their playoff run. The veteran right-hander went to the bullpen and was an effective high-leverage reliever for Toronto.
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Yet, the Blue Jays opted to sign Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to replace Bassitt and Max Scherzer, leaving Bassitt to sign with the Orioles.
Bassitt went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA in 32 games. In the playoffs, he had a 1.04 ERA in seven appearances.
Baltimore will open its 2026 MLB season on March 26 at home against the Minnesota Twins.
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