Blue Jays Lose Pitcher Bassitt to AL East Rival Orioles

Veteran right-hander signs 1-year, $18.5 million deal with Baltimore

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Toronto Blue Jays have lost free agent starting pitcher Chris Bassitt to an American League East rival, the Baltimore Orioles. Bassitt, a longtime Blue Jays pitcher, has agreed to a one-year, $18.5 million contract with the Orioles for the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The Orioles have been building a strong starting rotation, and the addition of Bassitt gives them even more depth and experience to compete in the tough AL East division. This is a significant loss for the Blue Jays, who will now have to find a replacement for Bassitt in their own rotation.

The details

Bassitt, a right-handed pitcher, was one of the best remaining free agents on the market. He spent the last several seasons with the Blue Jays, establishing himself as a reliable and effective starter. The Orioles have now added Bassitt to a rotation that already includes Shane Baz, Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, and Zach Eflin, giving them a formidable group of starters to compete in the AL East.

  • Bassitt and the Orioles agreed to the one-year, $18.5 million contract on February 12, 2026.

The players

Chris Bassitt

A veteran right-handed starting pitcher who spent the last several seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Baltimore Orioles

An American League East baseball team that has been building a strong starting rotation and has now added Bassitt on a one-year deal.

Toronto Blue Jays

The American League East team that has lost Bassitt, a longtime pitcher, to a division rival in free agency.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to build a strong rotation to compete in the AL East, and adding an experienced arm like Chris Bassitt is a big step in that direction.”

— Mike Elias, General Manager, Baltimore Orioles (Orioles press release)

What’s next

The Blue Jays will need to find a replacement for Bassitt in their starting rotation ahead of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This move by the Orioles strengthens their rotation and puts more pressure on the Blue Jays to find a suitable replacement for the veteran Bassitt, highlighting the competitive nature of the AL East division.