Overview
- Baltimore completed a one-year, $18.5 million contract with Chris Bassitt that includes a $3 million signing bonus and a $500,000 incentive for 27 starts.
- Bassitt, 36, delivered 170 1/3 innings with a 3.96 ERA last season and posted a 1.04 ERA in seven postseason relief appearances for Toronto.
- He joins a rotation group featuring Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz and Zach Eflin, with Dean Kremer also in the mix for starts.
- Manager Craig Albernaz said a six-man rotation might be an option, and Bassitt’s track record and recent relief usage give Baltimore flexibility in how he’s deployed.
- Players and analysts expressed confidence in the staff, though local commentary underscores ongoing doubts without an established ace and given recent injury history.