The Baltimore Orioles have finalized a one-year contract with right-hander Chris Bassitt, keeping him within the American League East division. The agreement, reportedly worth $18.5 million including a $3 million signing bonus, was reached Wednesday pending a physical, according to a source familiar with the deal. Bassitt, who turns 37 in February, also stands to earn an additional $500,000 in performance bonuses if he starts at least 27 games this season.
Bassitt has consistently met that threshold over the past five years, establishing himself as a reliable starter. ESPN initially reported the signing.
Bassitt’s Recent Performance and Experience
Last season, Bassitt recorded an 11-9 win-loss mark with a 3.96 earned run average (ERA) for the Toronto Blue Jays, who won the American League championship. He has pitched over 157 innings each year in the last five seasons and maintains a strong track record with only one season above a 4.00 ERA in the past eight years. This consistency adds valuable depth to Baltimore’s rotation, which already includes promising pitchers Shane Baz, Trevor Rogers, and Zach Eflin.
Baz was brought to Baltimore via trade with Tampa Bay last December, while Eflin re-signed on a one-year contract valued at $10 million.
Orioles’ Pitching Challenges and Recent Moves
After two consecutive playoff appearances, the Orioles struggled in 2025, finishing last in the AL East with a 75-87 record. Baltimore made a headline-grabbing free agent signing of first baseman Pete Alonso, who agreed to a five-year, $155 million contract in December, but pitching remained a concern. The team’s starters were ranked 24th in the majors last year, with a collective 4.65 ERA.
Team president Mike Elias had previously acknowledged the need to identify reliable options for the rotation’s upper tiers, explaining the search to fill roles that could be characterized as “top,” “front,” or the “top half” of the staff.
That statement came before the Orioles traded starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez for outfielder Taylor Ward and finalized Alonso’s contract. Since then, Baltimore has added Baz and retained Eflin, but its approach to building the rotation has remained conservative. With pitchers like Ranger Suárez and Dylan Cease signing with other division rivals and Framber Valdez moving to Detroit, Baltimore has refrained from committing to long-term, high-cost contracts for starters, favoring one-year deals and trades.
Comparing Bassitt to Previous Rotation Additions
In recent seasons, Baltimore signed veteran starters Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Kyle Gibson all to single-year contracts, but the results fell short of expectations. Bassitt’s arrival onboard offers a more promising outlook, as his recent track record surpasses Gibson’s, and his age gives hope for better durability compared to Morton.
The Orioles are also optimistic about improved health and performance from young pitcher Kyle Bradish, who was limited to six starts last season, in addition to a full campaign from Trevor Rogers, who posted an impressive 9-3 record with a 1.81 ERA over 18 starts in 2025.
Looking Ahead to Spring Training and Season Prospects
As Baltimore prepares for its first full-squad workout of spring training this Monday, the addition of Bassitt marks a clear effort to shore up a rotation that must improve to compete within the division. The team’s cautious approach to pitching signings signals a focus on flexibility and performance-based evaluations rather than committing to extended contracts. How Bassitt and the rest of the pitching staff perform will likely have a significant impact on the Orioles’ chances of returning to playoff contention in the coming season.
Expert Insights on the Orioles’ Pitching Strategy
“whether it’s ‘top’ or ‘front’ or ‘top half’ of the rotation, all those buckets.”
?Mike Elias, Team President
