The Baltimore Orioles are making a bold move to bolster their starting rotation, agreeing to terms with veteran pitcher Chris Bassitt on a one-year, $18.5 million deal. This signing, reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan, signals a strategic shift for the team's front office, led by Mike Elias, who has a history of short-term deals with seasoned starters.
But here's the twist: Bassitt, a 36-year-old right-hander, is not your typical veteran signing. He's coming off a three-year, $63 million contract with the division rival Toronto Blue Jays, where he established himself as a reliable starter. And this is where it gets intriguing. Bassitt has been a consistent performer, throwing over 150 innings in each of the last five seasons, a feat achieved by only a handful of pitchers. His career ERA has been consistently solid, rarely exceeding 4.00.
Bassitt's pitching arsenal is diverse, with Statcast identifying eight distinct pitches, though he primarily relies on his sinker, cutter, and curveball. His ability to limit hard contact is commendable. However, a potential red flag is his recent struggles against left-handed batters, with his platoon splits widening over the past few seasons. This could be an area of concern for the Orioles, who will hope he can replicate his success against right-handed hitters, holding them to a meager .224 average over the same period.
The Orioles are betting on Bassitt's experience and consistency, especially after the team's recent one-year deals with starters like Kyle Gibson and Charlie Morton didn't pan out as planned. With a $3 million signing bonus and the potential for another $500K in bonuses, the Orioles are investing in a pitcher who has proven his durability and effectiveness.
And this is the part most fans will be eager to see: how Bassitt's slightly declining velocity in his mid-30s will impact his performance. His sinker, while still potent, has slowed slightly, and the Orioles will be keen to see if he can maintain his effectiveness against a lineup that includes powerful left-handed hitters.
The signing of Chris Bassitt is a calculated risk for the Orioles, one that could pay off handsomely if he continues his consistent performance. But will he be the missing piece to elevate the Orioles' rotation? Only time will tell. What do you think about this move? Is Bassitt the right choice for the Orioles' long-term success?
