Chris Bassitt reveals the harsh truth on why he chose the Orioles over the Blue Jays
|
Victor William
Feb 14, 2026 (12:20)
|
|
Photo credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Chris Bassitt just signed with the Orioles and his honest pursuit of a championship instantly intensifies our fierce division rivalry.
Losing a beloved clubhouse leader to a direct rival is a remarkably bitter pill to swallow this morning.
Every fan understands that baseball is a business, but watching him leave the Blue Jays still hurts deeply.
Bassitt (Age 36, Drafted Round 16, 2011 by Chicago White Sox) made it crystal clear exactly why he left.
Chris Bassitt said the No 1 reason why he signed with #orioles was the chance to win a World Series
He explicitly told reporters that the absolute number one reason for his decision was capturing a championship ring.
Hearing those honest words out loud forces our entire fanbase to confront a very harsh reality today.
Toronto is currently retooling the roster while Baltimore is entirely focused on a massive October playoff run.
Every single decision the Orioles make right now is about conquering the fierce American League gauntlet.
The veteran right-hander signed a lucrative one-year contract specifically to chase the ultimate baseball prize.
The division battle just reached a boiling point
Seeing a relentless workhorse wear an orange uniform makes me incredibly anxious for our upcoming head-to-head matchups.
Bassitt gave us absolutely everything he had last year, posting an 11-9 record alongside a solid 3.96 ERA.
He consistently took the ball every fifth day and struck out 166 opposing batters without complaining.
Logging 170.1 massive innings was vital when our starting rotation desperately needed stability and veteran leadership.
You simply cannot blame a fiercely competitive pitcher for wanting to hoist a trophy before his career ends.
He deserves a legitimate shot at glory after pouring his heart into our city for the past three seasons.
This significant departure needs to serve as a massive wake-up call for our own front office executives.
We must build a sustainable culture where elite veterans firmly believe they can win a title right here.
The path back to relevance is challenging, but our young pitchers now have a golden opportunity to shine.
Someone else gets to claim those open rotation spots and write their own heroic story this summer.
I cannot wait to see our dynamic new lineup try to crush his signature sinker under the stadium lights.
Also read on Toronto Baseball Insider :
Toronto Blue Jays sign Seattle Mariners right hander
Toronto Blue Jays sign Seattle Mariners right hander