The Toronto Blue Jays overhauled their pitching staff this offseason, which could result in some players signing elsewhere.
Toronto signed Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to bolster its rotation, which means Chris Bassitt will likely be playing elsewhere in 2026. Bassitt completed his three-year, $63 million deal, as he was a key part of the rotation for all three years.
Although Bassitt was a fan-favorite and beloved in the clubhouse, his time with Toronto is likely over. Blue Jays analyst Matthew Sookram of Jays Journal predicted Bassitt will sign with Toronto’s AL East rival, the Baltimore Orioles.
“Bassitt proved he was the ultimate team guy last season when he was labelled as one of the key cogs in the Blue Jays clubhouse unity, and then also accepted a role in the bullpen in the playoffs,” Sookram wrote. “While it feels like there would be a spot for him in the Blue Jays bullpen, the soon-to-be 37-year-old could also be a prime candidate to fill out the back end of another team’s rotation.
“Bassitt has thrown 150+ innings every year since 2021 and has been worth 11.8 bWAR, with a 3.66 ERA with 846 strikeouts in 880.1 innings pitched. Prediction: Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles have made some aggressive moves already this offseason, and Bassitt could provide valuable leadership to a team that needs an innings eater in their rotation.”
The Orioles need to upgrade their rotation, and have started that process by trading for Shane Baz. But Bassitt signing there makes a lot of sense. He has proven he can pitch in the AL East and would be a clubhouse leader for the Orioles coming off a frustrating season.
Bassitt Wants to Return to Blue Jays
Toronto made it all the way to the World Series last season, and Bassitt was a key reason why.
Bassitt wasn’t on the playoff roster in the ALDS. But he ended up being a key bullpen piece in the ALCS and World Series. The right-hander was willing to do whatever it took to win and became a high-leverage reliever.
After Toronto lost in Game 7, Bassitt said he would like to return to the team, but admitted he wasn’t sure if it would be possible.
“I hope I have another chance with this group, I really do,” Bassitt said after the Game 7 loss. … “I love these guys … it’s hard to replicate true love. You can try to replicate this. A lot of people will try, but it’s not really possible.”
With the Blue Jays signing Cease and Ponce, it has likely ruled out Bassitt returning to the Blue Jays.
Toronto Was Active Addressing Pitching Needs
The Blue Jays signed Cease, Ponce, and Rogers to bolster their pitching staff this offseason.
Cease is the crown jewel of the group, as he was handed a seven-year, $210 million deal. After the deal was agreed to, Cease credited the Blue Jays’ pitching development and the fact they are contenders as a key reason why he signed.
“For me, it’s the business,” Cease said on OverDrive of his decision to sign with Toronto. “How are they going to develop and help me be the most consistent player I can be? And then, does the team have a good chance of winning every year? And the Blue Jays pretty easily checked all of those boxes.”
Cease said during negotiations, the team showed him what they think they can do to make him better, which he was impressed by.
“It’s honestly really impressive,” Cease added. “They show you how if you change your grip with this pitch, you can get this kind of movement, and – I can’t get in to too much detail here with you but – they can basically, with how you release the ball and different things that you do, they can tell you ‘Hey, we can add this pitch, do this or that, or we think we can improve what’s already there, or we can help you change your mechanics, things like that.”
Cease went 8-12 with a 4.55 ERA in 32 starts last season.
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