Orioles Sign RHP Chris Bassitt to $18.5M Contract

Veteran pitcher joins Baltimore rotation after 3 seasons with Toronto Blue Jays

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Baltimore Orioles have finalized an $18.5 million contract with right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt, who spent the past three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. The deal includes a $3 million signing bonus and up to $500,000 in performance bonuses.

Why it matters

Bassitt is an experienced veteran who has pitched at least 157 innings in each of the past five seasons, providing stability and reliability to the Orioles' starting rotation as the team looks to return to the playoffs after missing out in 2025.

The details

Bassitt, who will turn 37 later this month, went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA in 32 regular-season games for the American League champion Blue Jays last year. He also had a 1.04 ERA with 10 strikeouts in seven relief appearances during the postseason. Over his 11-year career, Bassitt has an 83-65 record with a 3.64 ERA, pitching for the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, and Blue Jays.

  • Bassitt and the Orioles finalized the $18.5 million contract on February 14, 2026.
  • Bassitt will turn 37 years old on February 22, 2026.

The players

Chris Bassitt

A right-handed pitcher who has spent the past 11 seasons in the major leagues, including the last three with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Baltimore Orioles

A professional baseball team that plays in the American League East division of Major League Baseball.

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What’s next

Bassitt is expected to join a Baltimore rotation that includes Shane Baz, Trevor Rogers, and Zach Eflin as the Orioles look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and return to the playoffs.

The takeaway

The addition of veteran pitcher Chris Bassitt on an $18.5 million contract is a key move for the Baltimore Orioles as they aim to strengthen their starting rotation and improve upon their last-place finish in the AL East in 2025.