A Beloved Blue Jays Star is Reportedly Down to His Final Four Choices! It seems the Toronto Blue Jays might be saying goodbye to a key pitcher who played a crucial role in their recent successes. Chris Bassitt, a fan and clubhouse favorite, has just wrapped up a successful three-year, $63 million contract with the Jays. He wasn't just a regular starter; he stepped up big time in the playoffs, transforming into a high-leverage reliever and making a significant impact, especially during the World Series.
But here's where it gets interesting: Bassitt's future with the Blue Jays appears to be over. Johnny Giunta, a friend of Bassitt and host of the Gate 14 podcast, dropped a bombshell. He revealed that four specific teams are actively vying for the veteran pitcher's talents. Bassitt himself apparently expressed surprise at how late it is in the offseason without knowing his next destination, noting that he's usually aware of his spring training location by now.
Giunta shared the names of the contenders: the Chicago Cubs, the San Diego Padres, the Baltimore Orioles, and the New York Yankees. All four of these clubs are expected to be competitive and have a clear need for pitching in their rotations, setting the stage for a tough decision for Bassitt.
And this is the part most people miss... While Bassitt's regular season stats were solid – an 11-9 record with a 3.96 ERA over 32 games – his playoff performance was nothing short of spectacular. He posted an incredible 1.04 ERA in 7 relief appearances, showcasing his ability to dominate in high-pressure situations.
A Pair of Blue Jays Rivals Are Making a Serious Play for Bassitt! It's quite telling that two of the Blue Jays' biggest rivals, the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles, are among the teams showing significant interest. MLB insider Jon Heyman has even suggested that the Orioles could be in a strong position to sign Bassitt, especially after missing out on another target, Framber Valdez. Heyman mentioned that after Valdez went to the Tigers, Bassitt, along with Zac Gallen and Lucas Giolito, could be high on the Orioles' list.
The Orioles definitely need to bolster their rotation, and Bassitt's reputation as a workhorse who can log a lot of innings makes him an attractive option. The Yankees, too, could use another arm in their starting rotation, particularly with injuries to key pitchers like Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon.
Now, let's talk about the Blue Jays' own rotation. As they head into spring training, the Blue Jays have a seemingly solid core with Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease at the top, and Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, and Cody Ponce expected to round out the group. They also have Jose Berrios and Eric Lauer as additional starting options.
However, this abundance of pitching depth, with seven starters for five spots, presents an interesting dilemma. Reporter Mitch Bannon of The Athletic called it a "great problem to have." He pointed out that injuries during spring training could easily resolve this surplus. If someone like Bieber isn't ready for Opening Day, the rotation picture becomes much clearer. This depth is a significant factor in why FanGraphs projects Toronto's pitching staff to be the seventh most valuable in MLB. Yet, it remains the team's most intriguing position group. If injuries or performance issues don't thin the herd, the Jays might face difficult decisions or even trade talks.
The Blue Jays are set to kick off their 2026 MLB season on March 27th at home against the Athletics.
What do you think about Chris Bassitt potentially joining a rival? Is it a smart move for these teams, or a missed opportunity for the Blue Jays? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
