Orioles pitcher Chris Bassitt commented on a potential lockout for the 2027 MLB season.
As MLB continues to navigate questions about competitive balance and long‑term structure, the topic of a potential salary cap has resurfaced. Some owners argue it would create greater parity between large‑market and small‑market clubs. Others believe the current system already produces enough competitive turnover without restricting player earnings.
New Baltimore Orioles right‑hander Chris Bassitt made his stance clear during a recent conversation at spring training with reporters about the direction of the sport. Bassitt, who has spent nearly 11 seasons in the majors and pitched in multiple postseason races, pushed back firmly on the idea that a cap would solve baseball’s challenges.
“The salary cap doesn’t fix anything,” Bassitt said, via Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. He pointed to other professional leagues as examples, arguing that MLB already demonstrates stronger competitive balance. Bassitt questioned whether dynastic runs in capped sports truly represent parity, referencing the extended dominance of NFL powers over the years.
He added that suppressing salaries in an effort to help lower‑revenue clubs spend more is not a legitimate solution, emphasizing that the root motivation behind a cap proposal is not competitive balance. In his view, baseball’s structure already allows for more year‑to‑year fluctuation than leagues operating under hard caps.
Bassitt’s comments reflect a veteran perspective shaped by experience across four organizations. His 2025 season with the Toronto Blue Jays further reinforced his value as a dependable starter.
He made 31 starts, posting a 3.96 ERA over 170 1/3 innings with 166 strikeouts and a 1.327 WHIP. While not overpowering, he once again demonstrated durability and the ability to navigate lineups multiple times, traits that have defined much of his career.
Those qualities made him an appealing addition for Baltimore, which signed Bassitt to a one‑year, $18.5 million deal to strengthen its rotation. The Orioles are firmly in win‑now mode, and adding a veteran arm with postseason experience provides both stability and leadership to a staff anchored by younger talent. Bassitt’s pitch mix, command and competitive edge align with a club aiming to contend deep into October.
From his breakout years with the Athletics to playoff appearances in Queens and Toronto, Bassitt has built a reputation as a late bloomer who maximized his skill set. For the Orioles, his arrival complements an already promising outlook. Baltimore’s young core remains intact, and the addition of a seasoned veteran unafraid to speak candidly about league issues adds another layer of maturity to the clubhouse.