Blue Jays continue to rack up losses: what the Chris Bassitt move means
A veteran right-hander switches AL East sides as Baltimore accelerates its offseason rebuild.
With spring training camps set to open in just a couple of days, Major League Baseball teams are still fine-tuning their rosters. The Toronto Blue Jays, fresh off a World Series appearance last season, have lost another arm. Right-hander Chris Bassitt is heading to the Baltimore Orioles, a direct rival in the American League East.
What is Bassitt’s contract with Orioles?
Bassitt agreed to a one-year contract worth $18.5 million, which includes a $3 million signing bonus and $500,000 in incentives if he makes at least 27 starts. The deal is pending a physical.
The 36-year-old spent the past three seasons with Toronto. Last year he posted a 3.96 ERA, a 4.01 FIP and a 1.33 WHIP, striking out 166 batters across 32 regular-season appearances, including 31 starts. In the playoffs, he worked 8 2/3 innings out of the bullpen.
In Baltimore, he joins a rotation that already features front-line starters such as Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz and Zach Eflin. The Orioles have been active this offseason, adding Baz, outfielder Taylor Ward, reliever Andrew Kittredge, infielder Blaze Alexander, first baseman Pete Alonso and closer Ryan Helsley.
Baltimore is aiming to return to contention after finishing 75-87 last season, last in the AL East and well short of a postseason berth.
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