BALTIMORE, MD – – The Baltimore Orioles have officially added veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt to their pitching staff, announcing the signing on . The one-year, $18.5 million contract includes a $3 million signing bonus and the potential for an additional $500,000 in incentives based on reaching 27 starts. The Orioles’ 40-man roster is now full following the move.
The addition of Bassitt represents a continuation of President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias’ strategy of bringing in experienced starting pitchers on short-term deals. Baltimore saw mixed results with this approach in recent seasons, finding success with Kyle Gibson in but experiencing less favorable outcomes with Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano last winter. Elias clearly believes Bassitt, approaching his 37th birthday, offers a higher floor than those previous additions.
Bassitt’s career trajectory is notable for its late bloom. He didn’t consistently reach 100 innings pitched in a season until his age-30 campaign in . Since then, he’s established himself as a reliable mid-rotation arm, consistently logging significant innings. Over the past five seasons, Bassitt is one of only six pitchers to surpass 150 innings each year, ranking eighth in total innings pitched over that span. This durability is a key attribute for a team like the Orioles, who are navigating the workload management of several young arms.
In , Bassitt posted a 3.96 ERA with underlying metrics that were slightly better than average. He struck out 22.6% of batters faced whereas maintaining a 7.1% walk rate across 170 1/3 innings. While his per-pitch whiff rate isn’t elite, he’s demonstrated a consistent ability to generate strikeouts, maintaining a 22-23% strikeout rate over the last four seasons.
However, a potential area of concern for the Orioles is Bassitt’s recent performance against left-handed hitters. While he previously handled lefties effectively, his platoon splits have widened in the last few seasons. Since the start of , left-handed batters have hit .284/.360/.483 against him in over 1200 plate appearances, a significant drop-off from his success against right-handed hitters (.224/.286/.323 in a comparable number of at-bats).
Bassitt arrives in Baltimore after three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he pitched 541 1/3 innings with a 3.89 ERA during the regular season. He proved to be a durable presence, making all but one scheduled start, sidelined briefly in September due to minor back inflammation. He even transitioned to a key role out of the bullpen during Toronto’s postseason run, delivering 8 2/3 innings of one-run ball with 10 strikeouts in the AL Championship Series.
The Orioles are undergoing a significant roster overhaul this offseason after a disappointing campaign that saw them finish with a 75-87 record. The Bassitt signing follows the acquisition of Pete Alonso, a former teammate of Bassitt’s with the New York Mets, on a five-year, $155 million deal. Baltimore also traded oft-injured starter Grayson Rodriguez for Taylor Ward and acquired right-handed pitcher Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for four prospects and a draft pick. Ryan Helsley was added on a two-year contract to replace injured closer Félix Bautista, and Zach Eflin rejoined the team on a $10 million deal.
Bassitt’s arrival doesn’t necessarily signal a desire for a top-tier ace. The Orioles are prioritizing building depth and versatility. They’re hoping Baz, a former top prospect, can realize his potential, and are counting on Trevor Rogers to continue his positive trajectory. Kyle Bradish, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is expected to be a key contributor as well.
Bassitt is expected to slot into the rotation alongside Rogers, Bradish, and Baz, with Eflin likely to secure the fifth starter role upon full recovery from back surgery. This could potentially push Dean Kremer and/or Tyler Wells back to Triple-A Norfolk to begin the season. Both pitchers retain options, though they are nearing the point where they would have the right to refuse minor league assignments. Wells needs another 40 days on an MLB roster to reach that point, while Kremer is 60 days away.
The Orioles’ pitching depth could prove crucial given the recent wave of injuries across the league. The Braves, Blue Jays, and Tigers have all suffered significant losses in the early stages of spring training, highlighting the importance of having reliable options available. Even if all of Baltimore’s starters are currently healthy, maintaining that health throughout the long season is far from guaranteed.
While Bassitt may not be the frontline starter some Orioles fans hoped for, he represents a pragmatic addition to a team focused on sustained improvement. MLB Trade Rumors had predicted a two-year, $38 million contract for Bassitt earlier in the offseason, but Baltimore was able to secure his services on a one-year deal, avoiding a longer-term commitment. This was particularly shrewd given that Merrill Kelly recently received a two-year, $20 million annual contract from the Diamondbacks at a similar age.
The Orioles’ payroll projection now stands at $166 million, according to RosterResource, only $6 million above their opening payroll from last season. This suggests they may have limited room for further significant additions, but they could remain opportunistic if attractive opportunities arise mid-season. With Bassitt now in the fold, the focus shifts to spring training and the ongoing evaluation of their pitching depth. The remaining top free agent starting pitchers include Zac Gallen, Lucas Giolito, and Max Scherzer.
Jeff Passan of ESPN first reported the agreement and terms. Image courtesy of John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images.
