Key Highlights
- Chris Bassitt signs with the Baltimore Orioles for $18.5 million.
- The move is seen as a significant addition to the AL East race.
- Toronto Blue Jays were not heavily pursuing Bassitt this offseason.
- This signing follows other moves within the AL East, including trades and free agent signings.
AL East Heating Up: A Pitcher’s Shift
Bassitt turns 37 at the end of next week. He’s probably not going to compete for many more All-Star selections. But his durability is unquestioned, and he’ll keep his team in the game on more nights than he won’t.
That’s exactly what the Orioles needed in their final starter. Yes, someone who could do all of the above and post a low three ERA would have been ideal, but Bassitt should help keep Baltimore right in the thick of the playoff hunt.
The Blue Jays’ Move or Lack Thereof
On Wednesday night, starting pitcher Chris Bassitt became the latest to join that trend, as the three-year member of the Toronto Blue Jays rotation agreed to sign with the team in the AL East that needed his help the most. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Bassitt and the Baltimore Orioles agreed to a one-year, $18.5 million contract for the upcoming season.
It’s a move that fills out the Baltimore rotation, and it’s one that will put the Blue Jays under the microscope for not making much of an effort to re-sign the 36-year-old.
Absorb the Market Shuffle
This offseason, we’ve seen Shane Baz traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Orioles, former Oriole Cedric Mullins sign with the Rays, ex-Boston Red Sox lefty Steven Matz head to the Rays, and former Blue Jays and New York Yankees infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa sign with Boston. The Blue Jays seemingly chose early in the offseason not to heavily pursue Bassitt.
Instead, they signed Dylan Cease for $210 million, re-upped with Shane Bieber, and bought in on Korean Baseball Organization Most Valuable Player Cody Ponce. Were those the right decisions? Bassitt will face Toronto up to four times this year to test them.
The AL East Race
The Blue Jays lost Chris Bassitt to the Orioles as the American League East Intrigue heats up. This move is just one of many within the division, making it an exciting race indeed. With the Blue Jays’ choices in free agency and trades, they might be in for a tough season.
You might think this is new, but…
It’s been happening every year. The AL East is always full of surprises, and this winter was no different. Bassitt will test Toronto, and it remains to be seen if their other moves can keep up with the competition.
Published 9 minutes ago | Modified 4 minutes ago
JACKSON ROBERTS Jackson Roberts is a former Division III All-Region DH who now writes and talks about sports for a living.
A Bay Area native and a graduate of Swarthmore College and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, Jackson makes his home in North Jersey. He grew up rooting for the Red Sox, Patriots, and Warriors, and he recently added the Devils to his sports fandom mosaic.
