The Orioles add a veteran starter.
The Baltimore Orioles and right-handed starting pitcher Chris Bassitt are reportedly in agreement on an $18.5 million contract, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. Passan also reports that the deal includes a $3 million signing bonus. Additionally, if Bassitt starts at least 27 games, he will be eligible for $500,000 in incentives.
The Orioles have made a clear effort to upgrade their entire roster. They brought in Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward to give the offense a boost. From a pitching standpoint, Baltimore acquired Shane Baz this offseason.
The O's were heavily linked to Framber Valdez in free agency before he agreed to a deal with the Detroit Tigers. Baltimore has been connected to Zac Gallen as well. Gallen is still available in free agency, so the O's could consider also bringing him in. However, the Bassitt signing makes adding Gallen less urgent.
Chris Bassitt Joins Orioles
Bassitt, a 36-year-old veteran starting pitcher, made his big league debut back in 2014. He has been a productive pitcher for most of his career, as he holds a 3.64 ERA overall.
In 2025, Bassitt turned in a 3.96 ERA across 32 appearances for a Toronto Blue Jays squad that reached the World Series. Bassitt added 166 strikeouts in what was a respectable all-around performance.
He came out of the bullpen in the postseason and was terrific. Bassitt finished the playoffs with a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 innings of work. He will bring postseason experience to the Orioles, which could prove to be pivotal this season as the O's look to play meaningful baseball in October.
Orioles' Starting Rotation Outlook
Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer and Baz are among the other starting rotation candidates. Unless Baltimore decides to go with six starters this season, there will be a spring training battle for the fifth rotation spot.
Bassitt will likely receive a role in the rotation, so it remains to be seen who may be moved to the bullpen. Regardless, the Orioles have starting pitching depth, which is something they have been looking to build. The depth will be valuable without question.
Sure, Baltimore may not have the best rotation in all of baseball. With that being said, the starting pitching staff should be respectable this season. Meanwhile, the talented lineup will take care of the rest as Baltimore looks to contend in an extremely deep American League East division.