Bassitt, 36, agreed to a one-year, $18.5 million deal with Baltimore on February 13, choosing the Orioles over the Blue Jays in a headline offseason move. The veteran right-hander has started 95 games across three seasons for Toronto, posting a 3.89 ERA and reaching 31 starts in each of the three years with the club.
Showalter highlighted Bassitt’s frontline-starter potential, noting he remembered Bassitt’s performance from their time together with the Mets in 2022, when Bassitt posted a 3.42 ERA over 30 starts as part of a 101-win team. The exchange underscores Bassitt’s role as a stabilizing presence in Baltimore’s rotation.
Baltimore enters 2026 with a revamped rotation, aiming to improve upon a 2025 season in which the team ranked 24th in starting-pitcher ERA. Sugano’s departure to the Colorado Rockies and other internal changes have reshaped the staff, with Bassitt’s addition expected to contribute immediate value alongside returning arms such as Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish.
Beyond Bassitt, Baltimore’s rotation overhaul includes the acquisition of Shane Baz from Tampa Bay, a former top prospect whose 2025 numbers were tempered by injuries but who posted a career-high 31 starts the previous season. The Orioles also anticipate full seasons from Rogers and Bradish after health setbacks in 2024–25.
As the team builds toward 2026, Bassitt’s veteran presence is poised to anchor the rotation, while younger pitchers and depth pieces compete for spots. Showalter’s assessment reinforces the focus on stability and experience as Baltimore defense against another challenging AL East schedule.
This reporting reflects updates from Heavy Sports’ coverage of the Orioles’ moves and the broader context of their offseason strategy. For further details, readers can follow the ongoing eligibility and performance discussions surrounding Bassitt and the Orioles’ pitching staff heading into the season.
