Orioles find missing piece to their rotation's puzzle with Chris Bassitt signing

The Baltimore Orioles found the durable middle-of-the-rotation starter that they needed.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the Orioles have agreed to terms with pitcher Chris Bassitt on a one-year, $18.5 million contract. He will receive a $3 million signing bonus and another $500,000 if he starts at least 27 games in 2026.

Bassitt, 36, had a typically solid showing with the Blue Jays in 2025. He posted a 3.96 ERA and a 1.327 WHIP over his 170.1 innings, striking out 166 batters with 52 walks. Bassitt was excellent out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays in the postseason, allowing just one run on three hits and two walks in 8.2 innings, striking out 10 batters.

Chris Bassitt adds element missing from Baltimore Orioles projected rotation

While the Orioles' projected rotation before signing Chris Bassitt had a high ceiling, there was reason for concern. The quintet of Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Dean Kremer, Trevor Rogers and Zach Eflin had made at least 30 starts in a season just four times between them. Baz threw for 166.1 innings in 2025; his previous major league best was 79.1. Rogers had been mediocre at best from 2022 through 2024 before performing like a top-of-the-rotation starter in 2025. Bradish threw for just 71.1 innings in 2024 and 2025 as he returned from Tommy John surgery. That uncertainty made a durable starter a necessity.

Bassitt has been that type of pitcher since securing a spot in the rotation in 2019. He has the eighth-most innings (943.1) of any pitcher in the majors since the start of 2020 and has made at least 30 starts in each of the last four years. While he may not have the same upside as the rest of the Orioles rotation, he may have the highest floor.

The Orioles are looking to put a disappointing 2025 season in the rearview mirror and contend for a playoff berth in the upcoming season. A dependable workhorse such as Bassitt may be the missing piece.