Why Orioles will 'think twice' before signing another pitcher like Chris Bassitt

2 weeks ago 14

The Baltimore Orioles are fighting for their postseason lives, but time is running out in the regular season.

They'll need strong outings from the rotation, something right-hander Chris Bassitt hasn't done regulary in 2026.

The 37-year-old has A 4.88 ERA in 18 appearances (16 starts) after signing a one-year, $18.5 million contract with the Orioles last offseason.

Bassitt was as solid as they come during his three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. But his age may have caught up to him.

"Between Craig Kimbrel ($13M) in 2024, Charlie Morton ($15M) last year and now Chris Bassitt, the Orioles will probably think twice this offseason before signing another late-in-his-career pitcher to an eight-figure deal," Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller wrote.

Bassitt has allowed a career high 10.8 hits per nine innings and has provided just 0.4 bWAR to Baltimore's pitching staff.

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"In Bassitt's defense, he did have a solid three-year run with Toronto, both in terms of durability and production," Miller added. "But both his cutter and his four-seamer have devolved into batting-practice pitches. His strikeout rate has plummeted to 15.7 percent after five consecutive years north of 22."

Bassitt's stuff does not get hitters out like it used to. But it's not his fault the Orioles overpaid for an aging veteran pitcher and expected him to do so much more.

This offseason, the Orioles may want to focus on adding a few notably younger arms.