The Orioles Make a Bold Move: Is Chris Bassitt the Missing Piece?
In a move that’s sure to shake up the AL East, the Baltimore Orioles are on the brink of signing veteran starter Chris Bassitt to a one-year, $18.5 million deal, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. But here’s where it gets interesting: this isn’t just another signing—it’s a calculated gamble by Orioles President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias, who’s made a habit of targeting seasoned starters on short-term deals. The contract, pending a physical, includes a $3 million signing bonus and an additional $500,000 in bonuses if Bassitt reaches 27 starts. And this is the part most people miss: Bassitt’s deal comes at a time when the Orioles have a roster spot open after losing infielder Bryan Ramos to the St. Louis Cardinals on waivers.
Elias’s strategy has had mixed results. While Kyle Gibson proved to be a solid addition in 2023, last winter’s signings of Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano fell flat. But Bassitt, despite nearing his 37th birthday, is a different breed. Unlike those previous additions, he brings a higher floor and a track record of consistency. Here’s why: over the past seven years, Bassitt has been a reliable mid-rotation workhorse, surpassing 150 innings in each of the last five seasons—a feat only five other pitchers can claim. His ERA has rarely climbed above 4.00, and even though his velocity has dipped slightly, his ability to limit hard contact and mix pitches keeps him effective.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Bassitt’s struggles against left-handed hitters have become more pronounced in recent years. Since 2023, lefties have batted .284/.360/.483 against him in over 1,200 plate appearances. Compare that to right-handed hitters, who’ve managed just .224/.286/.323 in a similar number of at-bats. Is this a red flag for the Orioles, or can they find a way to mitigate this weakness? Let us know in the comments.
Bassitt’s arsenal includes a sinker, cutter, and curveball, with Statcast identifying eight distinct pitches in his repertoire during his final season with the Toronto Blue Jays. While his sinker velocity dipped to 91.6 mph last year—a career low—it’s still within his typical range. His strikeout rate has remained steady, hovering between 22-23% over the past four seasons, even if his per-pitch whiff rate is slightly below average.
Coming off a three-year, $63 million deal with the Blue Jays, Bassitt delivered 541 1/3 innings of 3.89 ERA ball during the regular season. He missed just one start due to back inflammation last September but returned in the postseason, pitching 8 2/3 innings of one-run ball with 10 strikeouts during Toronto’s pennant run. His ability to pitch in high-leverage situations could make him a valuable asset in Baltimore’s rotation.
The big question remains: Can Bassitt’s durability and consistency outweigh his platoon splits, or will left-handed hitters become his Achilles’ heel in Baltimore? One thing’s for sure—this signing adds another layer of intrigue to the Orioles’ 2024 campaign. What do you think? Is Bassitt the right fit, or is this a risk that could backfire? Share your thoughts below!
