The Toronto Blue Jays have multiple free agency decisions to make over the next few months, including one with right-hander Chris Bassitt.
Bassitt has been one of the more above-average starters in Major League Baseball for much of his career, never quite becoming an ace, but consistently providing a steady arm.
Even throughout the 2025 campaign with the Blue Jays, he’s posted a 3.97 ERA and has played a significant role in Toronto playing the type of baseball it has. Early in the campaign, there was an argument to be made that the 36-year-old was throwing the baseball better than ever.
Do the Blue Jays Want to Keep Chris Bassitt?
Depending on what Bassitt gets in free agency, it’ll likely come down to what the Toronto Blue Jays want to do.
Some believe that he could be set for a decent payday, while others don’t expect him to get much.
Despite his age, Spotrac had him at a two-year, $30.5 million deal. Giving him more than $15 million AAV at this stage of his career could be questionable, but he’s still worth it, considering what he’s done throughout the 2025 campaign.
If the Blue Jays decide to move on from Bassitt, there should be a long list of suitors. Whether it be up-and-coming teams or contenders, the right-handed veteran should find a new home. RB Hayek of ClutchPoints recently suggested that the Washington Nationals should take a look.
“Bassitt’s contract with the Toronto Blue Jays is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season. Therefore, he will be an unrestricted free agent in the MLB offseason. Bassitt has been a valuable middle-of-the-rotation starting pitcher and provides stability. Overall, it has not been a bad year by any means, as he is 11-7 with a 4.10 ERA and 154 strikeouts. If there is one thing the Nats need, it’s stability in the starting rotation. Signing Bassitt (along with Suarez) could provide the stability they need while moving Gore down in the rotation. It would give the Nats more of a chance to compete,” he wrote.
Can Toronto Survive Losing Chris Bassitt in Free Agency?
Losing Bassitt wouldn’t be the end-all, be-all for the Toronto Blue Jays. Of course, it’s tough to give away an arm that has not only thrown in a ton of innings over the past three seasons, but is also throwing the baseball at a high level.
However, it’s also fair to mention that it isn’t exactly like it’d be a gut-wrenching situation for the organization, as there are certainly starters out there they could explore if they lost him.
However, some think that he could be a fit for the American League East division rival Baltimore Orioles, including Joe Najarian of Sports Illustrated. One of the last things the Blue Jays would want is for a team like the Orioles to get back on track and add a player like Bassitt to their rotation.
“During the Orioles‘ futile attempt to make up for losing Corbin Burnes, they sought veteran pitchers who could slot into the middle of the rotation. Ironically, Bassitt would fit that bill perfectly as he hits the market this year.
“The 36-year-old has a ton of experience and still is a good strike-thrower, walking just 46 batters while striking out 154 in 156 innings. He’s a bit more prone to serving up homers, but compared to Morton and Gibson, Bassitt looks like he still has something left in the tank,” Najarian noted.
Blue Jays Ace Could Land New $31 Million Deal in MLB Free Agency