Chris Bassitt’s harsh Orioles assessment should sound familiar to Blue Jays fans

When it became clear that the Toronto Blue Jays wouldn't re-sign Chris Bassitt last offseason, the veteran right-handed starter found refuge with an AL East rival. The Baltimore Orioles were far more pitching-needy and, after signing Pete Alonso and trading for Taylor Ward and Shane Baz, clearly had their sights set on competing with the reigning AL pennant winners for the top spot in the division.

Unfortunately, the 2026 campaign hasn't gone the way he, the Orioles, or even the Blue Jays had envisioned. Both squads were primarily sellers at the deadline, accepting their fate as the AL East's fodder. Meanwhile, Bassitt has been out since early June with a back injury and is authoring one of the worst seasons of his career, pitching to a 5.27 ERA over 56.1 innings.

Having made the World Series just last year, Bassitt knows a thing or two about winning ballclubs. And it's safe to say he recognizes that the Orioles aren't one of them.

Chris Bassitt is pitching (and talking) his way out of Baltimore after successful Blue Jays tenure

If nothing else, Bassitt has courage. Playing on a one-year deal, he's talking smack about his current teammates, knowing that he's likely closing the door on a potential reunion in 2027. Considering he already had trouble finding a deal last winter -- not to mention the fact that he's been outspoken about his distaste for a salary cap -- it's possible that he's setting himself up for failure once owners are able to shell out money again in a post-lockout world.

But it's also true that he's keeping his new organization honest for their failures. He's a trusted voice in the league, having tossed over 1,300 innings in his MLB career. If he's calling the Orioles out for their failures, it's because he knows they can do a lot better.

Some team will value that veteran presence, as well as his consistency. Over his three seasons in Toronto, Bassitt compiled a 3.89 ERA and 4.13 FIP in 541.1 frames. He also moved to the bullpen during the Blue Jays' postseason run and still authored a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 innings in October.

The 36-year-old is also one of the most dependable starters in the game, having made at least 30 starts in every season since 2022 (not including this year, when he'll definitely fall short of that mark). He also completed at least 155 innings in each campaign between 2021-25.

Whatever the future holds for Bassitt, don't expect him to stick around Baltimore.

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