The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly close to finalizing a one-year, $18.5 million contract with veteran right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt, pending a physical. The deal includes a $3 million signing bonus and an additional $500,000 if Bassitt reaches 27 starts. The Orioles opened a spot on their 40-man roster following the loss of infielder Bryan Ramos to waivers. Bassitt, who is represented by Meister Sports Management, joins a rotation that Baltimore has been carefully constructing during a busy offseason.
Under President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias, the Orioles have frequently signed veteran starters to one-year deals. This approach has produced mixed results in recent years. Kyle Gibson had a productive 2023 campaign, but last winter’s additions of Gibson, Charlie Morton, and Tomoyuki Sugano did not perform as expected. Bassitt, who will approach his 37th birthday this year, enters a similar stage of his career but offers a higher level of reliability given his durability and consistent performance history.
Bassitt Provides Durable Mid-Rotation Presence Despite Challenges Against Left-Handed Hitters
Bassitt did not reach 100 major league innings in a season until his age-30 campaign in 2019. Since then, he has been a consistent mid-rotation starter. Over the last seven seasons, he has logged at least 150 innings in five consecutive years, ranking eighth in total innings pitched during that span. Bassitt has maintained an earned run average rarely exceeding 4.00, and his strikeout and walk rates remain solid.
Chris Bassitt (MLB)Last season, he struck out 22.6 percent of batters and walked just 7.1 percent across 170 and one-third innings. His per-pitch whiff rate is slightly below average, but he has consistently limited hard contact. His primary pitches include a sinker, cutter, and curveball, and he used eight pitches at least occasionally last season.
Bassitt’s main concern is his performance against left-handed hitters. While he was effective earlier in his career, his splits have widened over the past few seasons. Since the start of 2023, left-handed batters have hit .284/.360/.483 against him, while right-handed batters have managed just .224/.286/.323. Bassitt’s velocity has declined slightly with age. His sinker averaged 91.6 miles per hour last season, a career low, but remains close to the 92 to 93 miles per hour range he maintained for most of his career.
Orioles Strengthen Rotation with Bassitt Amid Active Offseason and Strategic Planning
Bassitt joins Baltimore following a three-year, $63 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched 541 and one-third innings with a 3.89 ERA during the regular season and missed only one start due to minor back inflammation. He contributed significantly during the postseason, including relief work in the American League Championship Series, where he threw 8 and two-thirds innings, allowing just one run with ten strikeouts. Baltimore hopes he can bring the same durability and stability to their rotation.
The Orioles also had an active offseason. They signed Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract, traded Grayson Rodriguez for Taylor Ward, and reunited with Zach Eflin on a $10 million deal. They added closer Ryan Helsley on a two-year contract and acquired Shane Baz to bolster the rotation.
Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, and Baz are expected to anchor the rotation, with Bassitt slotting in behind them as a reliable mid-rotation option. Eflin will likely occupy the fifth spot once fully recovered from back surgery. Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells may begin the season in Triple-A but could contribute in relief or spot starts if needed.
Baltimore’s approach avoids the high-end free-agent pitching market and focuses on a combination of rotation depth and lineup strength. Bassitt provides a cost-effective solution for the Orioles, leaving payroll flexibility for midseason moves if required. With a projected payroll of $166 million, the Orioles have addressed roster needs strategically while allowing younger pitchers to develop. Bassitt’s durability, experience, and mid-rotation quality make him a sensible addition as Baltimore aims to compete in the American League East during the 2026 season.
