The Baltimore Orioles have finalized a deal with right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $18.5 million for the 2026 season, according to ESPN. The signing aims to strengthen the Orioles’ starting rotation ahead of the upcoming campaign by adding the experienced free agent.
Chris Bassitt’s Performance History and Pitching Style
Bassitt, who will turn 37 on February 22, most recently pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays, the American League champions last season. Throughout 31 starts and one relief appearance with Toronto, he delivered a 3.96 ERA and a 4.01 FIP, accumulating 166 strikeouts across 170â…“ innings. Over his 11 major-league seasons, Bassitt holds an ERA+ of 114, highlighting his consistency. His career includes an All-Star Game selection and three top-10 finishes in Cy Young Award voting.
CBS Sports ranked Bassitt as the 34th best free agent in the 2025-26 class. R.J. Anderson described his pitching repertoire and approach:
“You won’t find many pitchers like Bassitt, who chucks his primary pitch (a sinker) more than 40% of the time and yet still manages to throw seven other offerings at least three out of every 100 tosses. (Those other eight pitches include a cutter, curve, four-seamer, sweeper, splitter, slider, and changeup.) Most of Bassitt’s matériel grade out as average, give or take, but he’s found success by mixing, matching, and locating. His durability (he’s started 30-plus times four years running) and kitchen-sink approach make him a useful pitcher to have on hand during the regular season. It is telling, though, that the Blue Jays left him out of their postseason rotation.”
?R.J. Anderson, CBS Sports Analyst
Integration into the Orioles’ Rebuilt Pitching Staff
Joining Bassitt in Baltimore’s revamped rotation is Shane Baz, another promising arm acquired via trade from the Tampa Bay Rays. The Orioles are aiming for a turnaround after a difficult 2025 season where they lost 87 games, finishing at the bottom of the AL East standings. Their pitching staff struggled considerably, ranking 24th in MLB for rotation ERA and 25th for rotation FIP last year.
Implications for Baltimore’s 2026 Season
The addition of Chris Bassitt represents a significant move by the Orioles as they attempt to improve their pitching depth and overall competitiveness. Bassitt’s pitching style, characterized by a diverse mix of eight different pitches and a strong ability to endure a full season, could provide much-needed stability to Baltimore’s starting rotation. How effectively the Orioles integrate Bassitt and Baz will likely play a crucial role in whether the team can escape its recent struggles and challenge other division contenders in the AL East.
Right-hander Chris Bassitt and the Baltimore Orioles are in agreement on a one-year, $18.5 million contract, sources tell ESPN. 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.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 12, 2026
