Orioles Sign Veteran Pitcher Chris Bassitt to One-Year Deal

The 37-year-old right-hander joins Baltimore's rotation on an $18.5 million contract.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Baltimore Orioles have signed veteran right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt to a one-year, $18.5 million contract, adding an experienced arm to their starting rotation. Bassitt, who turns 37 later this month, is coming off a solid 2025 season with the Toronto Blue Jays where he went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA across 170.1 innings, including 8.2 innings of one-run ball in the playoffs.

Why it matters

The Orioles are looking to build on a promising 2025 season and Bassitt's addition provides stability and consistency to their pitching staff as they aim to contend in the competitive American League East division. Bassitt has been a reliable innings-eater in recent years, logging at least 150 innings in each of the last five seasons.

The details

Bassitt's contract includes a $3 million signing bonus and an additional $500,000 in incentives if he reaches 27 starts, a benchmark he's achieved in each of the last five seasons. The Orioles have been active this offseason, addressing needs across the roster, and Bassitt represents their latest veteran addition to the starting rotation following previous one-year deals for pitchers like Kyle Gibson and Charlie Morton.

  • Bassitt's contract with the Orioles is pending a physical.
  • Bassitt turns 37 years old on February 22, 2026.

The players

Chris Bassitt

A 37-year-old right-handed pitcher who spent the 2025 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, going 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA across 170.1 innings.

Mike Elias

The President of Baseball Operations for the Baltimore Orioles, who has been active this offseason in addressing the team's roster needs.

Craig Albernaz

The manager of the Baltimore Orioles.

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What’s next

The Orioles will continue to monitor Bassitt's progress during Spring Training as he prepares for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Bassitt's signing represents the Orioles' continued efforts to bolster their pitching staff and build a competitive roster capable of contending in the AL East. His consistency and ability to eat innings could prove valuable as the team looks to build on its promising 2025 campaign.