Orioles May Poach Blue Jays Veteran Pitcher After Three Seasons

The Baltimore Orioles are still looking to add another frontline starter despite already signing Zach Eflin and trading for Shane Baz earlier this offseason.

Baltimore has been aggressive this offseason, making big moves like signing All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso, but still needs to improve its starting rotation. After whiffing on signing Framber Valdez, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that the Orioles could pivot and pursue 36-year-old Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt.

“They seem determined to add another frontline pitcher, and with Framber Valdez gone to the Tigers, Zac Gallen could top their list, followed by Lucas Giolito, Chris Bassitt and others,” Heyman wrote Thursday.

“They’d been in the mix for Valdez for nearly three months now in a failed dance reminiscent of Toronto’s ultimately unsuccessful tango with Kyle Tucker. The Orioles, already one of the biggest winter winners with Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, Shane Baz, Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge all coming, clearly aren’t done.”

Despite his age, Bassitt has been one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball for years. The 36-year-old posted a 3.96 ERA in Toronto last season with 166 strikeouts in 170 1/3 innings pitched, and has started 30 or more games in each of the past four seasons.

As the MLB season draws closer, with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in the next week or so, it’s likely free agent pitchers like Bassitt will sign soon. Bringing in the former All-Star would be a great addition for an Orioles starting rotation that lacked consistency last season.

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