Orioles Sign Veteran Starter Chris Bassitt to Bolster Rotation

The Orioles just picked up a steady veteran for their rotation, landing right-hander Chris Bassitt on a one-year, $18.5 million deal—pending a physical, of course. Baltimore keeps leaning into experienced starters on short-term contracts, a pattern under president of baseball operations Mike Elias as they try to balance upside with reliability.

They cleared a 40-man roster spot by losing infielder Bryan Ramos on waivers, sticking with their approach of upgrading pitching without locking in long-term.

Deal Details and Player Profile

Bassitt is almost 37, but he’s still a workhorse. He’s thrown at least 150 innings in each of the last five seasons, ranking among the top-10 in innings pitched over that stretch.

Last season, he posted a 3.96 ERA across 170 1/3 innings, with a 22.6% strikeout rate and a 7.1% walk rate. His bread and butter is a sinking fastball that sits around 91.6 mph.

Statcast says he’s got eight pitches, but he leans most on his sinker, cutter, and curveball. When he’s on, he keeps hitters from squaring up the ball too often.

Since 2023, lefties have done a bit more damage against him, slashing .284/.360/.483, while righties haven’t had as much luck. That’s always a tricky thing for a pitcher—if his sequencing slips, platoons can hurt him.

Bassitt spent the last three years in Toronto on a $63 million contract. He logged 541 1/3 innings there with a 3.89 ERA, and even chipped in during the postseason as a high-leverage reliever.

• Innings per season: 150+ in five straight years
• Last season ERA: 3.96
• Strikeout rate: 22.6%
• Walk rate: 7.1%

The Orioles’ winter included other big moves—Pete Alonso, Shane Baz, Ryan Helsley, and a reunion with Zach Eflin. Still, they skipped the biggest free-agent starters, choosing instead to add lineup depth and bullpen help.

Bassitt’s deal gives them a reliable arm who can soak up innings. That lets Baltimore keep shaping its rotation around younger pitchers and the bigger picture for the club.

Rotation Projection and Depth Chart

With Bassitt in the mix, Baltimore’s rotation now blends veteran steadiness with the upside of a young core. The plan is for Bassitt to join Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish as a solid trio, while Shane Baz brings breakout potential.

If Zach Eflin stays healthy, he’s likely the fifth starter. Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells might start the year in Triple-A or shift into bullpen depth to keep their innings in check early on.

This setup gives Baltimore some breathing room for early-season starts. It also clears a path for their younger arms to develop without as much pressure.

Bassitt isn’t just a placeholder. He’s more like a bridge to the Orioles’ next wave of pitching talent.

The move shows Baltimore is still playing it patient in free agency, maybe keeping an eye out for a true ace or another big addition if the right opportunity pops up later.

Strategic Impact and Market Outlook

The Orioles are shaping their winter by focusing on depth and continuity, rather than sinking a fortune into a single long-term arm. They’re aiming to improve the lineup and bullpen behind a pitching staff that’s still finding its footing.

Bassitt’s signing shows a clear intention to stay flexible. The front office wants to preserve payroll space and keep their options open in case the season calls for another veteran or a different bullpen mix.

The market still has some heavy hitters—Zac Gallen, Lucas Giolito, Max Scherzer. If those names become available at the right price, Baltimore could jump in.

• Impact on market strategy: Leaves room for late-market pivots without overcommitting to a top-tier starter
• Team-building balance: Emphasizes lineup and bullpen upgrades alongside a stable rotation
• Long-term view: Creates a foundation that supports developing pitchers while staying adaptable for 2025 plans

As spring gets closer, fans will want to keep an eye on how the rest of the rotation comes together. Will Baltimore add another arm to go with Eflin, Bradish, and Rogers? That’s something to watch, especially if they’re serious about making noise on both sides of the ball.

 
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