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Blue Jays: Chris Bassitt’s contract was a resounding success

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation | By Ben Wrixon | Last updated Feb 12, 2026 7:00 PM ET

Chris Bassitt’s time as a Toronto Blue Jay officially ended Wednesday, with the veteran reportedly agreeing to a one-year, $18.5 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles.

There was always an outside shot that the right-hander would return to Toronto this offseason after hitting free agency, but Bassitt was able to secure a sizeable payday to be a key figure in the Orioles’ rotation next season.

Bassitt originally came to Toronto on a three-year deal worth $63 million—and he was worth every penny.

He delivered results as one of the most durable starting pitchers in the game, giving the Blue Jays exactly what they needed in more ways than one over the past three seasons.

The right-hander’s debut in 2023 stands as his finest season with the team. He led the American League with 16 wins and 33 starts while recording a 3.60 ERA (119 ERA+). He earned down-ballot Cy Young consideration, ultimately finishing 10th in the voting.

Bassitt’s 2024 campaign is the only hiccup on his Toronto resume. He posted the worst ERA (4.16) and WHIP (1.462) he’s ever had in a full season. He didn’t have his command that year, yet still threw 171 innings across 31 starts despite his struggles.

He returned to form in 2025 with a 3.96 ERA (108 ERA+) while once again making 31 starts. He reached the 170-inning plateau for the fourth straight season despite landing on the injured list at the end of September with a back injury.

However, for all the great starts he made, Bassitt is probably going to be best remembered in Toronto for how he pitched out of the bullpen in the 2025 postseason.

Chris Bassitt will go down in Blue Jays folklore for his performances in the 2025 postseason.

3rd lowest ERA in a single Blue Jays postseason for a reliever, and 3rd lowest WHIP in a single postseason. pic.twitter.com/DC1KdqbbCW

— Ian Hunter (@BlueJayHunter) February 12, 2026

After missing the divisional series against the New York Yankees, Bassitt returned to make two scoreless relief appearances against the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS. He then pitched five times against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic, allowing just one run on three hits while navigating several high-leverage situations.

This bullpen stint perfectly embodied what made Bassitt so valuable. He worked tirelessly to be available to pitch, whether it was every fifth day, in a random spot start before the All-Star break to give his teammates extra rest, or out of the bullpen with the World Series on the line. Pitchers with his combination of durability and effectiveness are rare in today’s game.

Bassitt also earned his paycheque as a leader. He could frequently be seen mentoring youngsters like Trey Yesavage and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind when things within the organization weren’t going well. He routinely stuck his neck out on behalf of his teammates, knowing he could bear the brunt of any criticisms he may receive.

Ultimately, it will be hard for anyone to look back at Chris Bassitt’s time in Toronto as anything other than a tremendous success. He did everything he was signed to do—and became a beloved Blue Jay in the process.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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