Orioles land Bassitt on reported 1-year, $18.5M deal

The Baltimore Orioles added some veteran starting pitching at the expense of their AL East rivals.

Baltimore agreed to a one-year, $18.5-million contract with right-hander Chris Bassitt, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal, which is pending a physical, also includes a $3-million signing bonus and $500K worth of incentives if he makes at least 27 starts, Passan adds.

"Just having that veteran presence is not just good for the pitching staff but good for the whole clubhouse," new first baseman Pete Alonso said Thursday, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. "He brings energy every day. He's a bulldog out there, and I think he's going to be a huge addition for us."

Bassitt, who will turn 37 on Feb. 22, spent the last three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. Last year, he put up a 3.96 ERA, 4.01 FIP, and 1.33 WHIP along with 166 strikeouts over 32 regular-season appearances (31 starts). He then moved to the bullpen during the playoffs, allowing just one earned run in 8 2/3 innings as a high-leverage reliever during Toronto's AL pennant run.

He gives the Orioles additional experience and depth at the back of their rotation. Bassitt should slot into the No. 5 spot behind Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, fellow newcomer Shane Baz, and Zach Eflin, who re-signed in December. Dean Kremer, a mainstay of the team's rotation over the last few years, can now shift into more of a swingman role; he has one minor-league option remaining.

He's the latest new addition to a Baltimore club that finished last in the ultracompetitive AL East in 2025. This offseason, the O's have traded for Baz, outfielder Taylor Ward, reliever Andrew Kittredge, and infielder Blaze Alexander. They've signed Alonso, who's a five-time All-Star, and closer Ryan Helsley as well.

Bassitt has been one of the most durable starters in baseball this decade, making at least 27 starts and throwing 150-plus innings in each of the past five seasons. He ranks eighth in innings pitched and seventh in games started among qualified pitchers.

The Ohio native owns a lifetime 3.64 ERA, 3.95 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP with 1,191 strikeouts across 232 big-league appearances with the Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and New York Mets. Bassitt was an All-Star with the A's in 2021. He led the AL in wins (16) and starts (33) in 2023 and has earned downballot Cy Young votes in three of his 11 big-league seasons.

Baltimore is looking to shake off a disappointing 87-loss season and return to the playoffs for the third time in four seasons under rookie skipper Craig Albernaz. The Orioles won the AL East in 2023 and hosted a wild-card series in 2024, but they haven't won a playoff series in 12 years and last hoisted the World Series trophy in 1983.