Just when it seemed the Baltimore Orioles might stand pat, president of baseball operations and acting-GM Mike Elias has added another veteran arm to an already deep rotation.
Baltimore has agreed to terms with right-hander Chris Bassitt on a one-year, $18.5 million contract, pending a physical. The deal includes a $3 million signing bonus and $500,000 in incentives tied to making 27 starts this season.
Bassitt, who turns 37 on Feb. 22, is coming off an 11–9 season with the Toronto Blue Jays in which he appeared in 32 games (31 starts), posting a 3.96 ERA across 170.1 innings.
The 11-year veteran has logged at least 150 innings in each season since 2021, making 27 or more starts in every year during that span. Bassitt is one of six pitchers to reach 150 innings in each of the past five seasons and ranks eighth in total innings over that stretch.
A model of consistency, Bassitt has recorded a sub-4.00 ERA in seven of the past eight seasons and owns nearly a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio for his career.
Across 232 games (218 starts), the former Akron standout is 83–65 with a 3.64 ERA and 108 quality starts. In 1,278.2 career innings, he has compiled a 1.25 WHIP, striking out 1,191 and walking 409. Opponents have slashed .243/.313/.383 against him.
Bassitt joins a projected rotation that includes Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz and Zach Eflin. Tyler Wells, Dean Kremer, Cade Povich, Brandon Young and Albert Suárez provide additional depth, giving the Birds a retooled and formidable staff.
We would like to welcome Chris Bassitt to Birdland and wish him the best of luck on his journey in helping the Orioles reach the promise land.
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