Bassitt reveals his primary motivation for joining the ambitious Orioles.
The Baltimore Orioles have made it clear this offseason that they are all-in on winning, and their latest addition to the pitching staff feels the exact same way.
Veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt officially signed a one-year, $18.5 million deal with Baltimore, and his reason for choosing the Orioles was simple and straightforward.
"No. 1 reason is a chance to win, and not just win a couple games, but win a World Series, and I think this team has the ability to do that," Bassitt said on Friday.
A Veteran With Unfinished Business
Bassitt is coming off a solid 2025 season with the Toronto Blue Jays where he went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 170.1 innings across 32 appearances.
He also played a big role in the Blue Jays' postseason run that took them all the way to the World Series, where Toronto fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.
In the playoffs, Bassitt came out of the bullpen and was lights out, posting a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 innings of relief work.
That World Series loss still stings for Bassitt, and it is a big part of what fueled his decision to join Baltimore.
He admitted he is not over the loss and said the only way he can get past it is by winning one.
That kind of hunger and drive is exactly what the Orioles need heading into 2026 after a disappointing 75-87 finish in 2025 that left them in last place in the AL East.
Why Baltimore Makes Sense
The Orioles have been one of the busiest teams this offseason.
They signed slugger Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal, brought in closer Ryan Helsley, re-signed Zach Eflin, traded for Shane Baz and added outfielder Taylor Ward.
The roster is stacked with young talent like Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg, and Bassitt recognized the potential of this group right away.
His connection to Pete Alonso, who was his teammate on the New York Mets back in 2022, also played a role in the move.
Bassitt said he was talking with Alonso and close friend Zach Eflin throughout the free agent process, and their presence in Baltimore helped seal the deal.
What Bassitt Brings to the Rotation
Over his career, Bassitt owns a 3.64 ERA across 232 games and has started at least 30 games in each of the last four seasons, which shows just how durable and consistent he has been.
He joins a rotation that already includes Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Eflin and Dean Kremer, and his experience and reliability should help stabilize a pitching staff that ranked 24th in the majors in rotation ERA last season.
Bassitt might not be the frontline ace that some fans were hoping for, but he is a proven winner who has pitched in big games and knows how to eat innings.
For a team that has its eyes set on a World Series run, adding a pitcher with that kind of mindset and track record is a smart move heading into spring training.