Fan favorite Chris Bassitt expected to betray the Blue Jays for divisional Rival

Feb 7, 2026 (2:49 PM)

Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The latest rumor mill suggests the Baltimore Orioles are circling Chris Bassitt, and the thought of seeing him in orange and black is enough to make any Jays fan sick.

We all knew this offseason would bring changes, but losing "C-Bass" to a direct division rival is the kind of nightmare scenario we hoped to avoid.

Bassitt (Drafted 16th Round, 2011 by White Sox) has been the definition of a workhorse since arriving in Toronto.

He just wrapped up his three-year contract by posting a solid 11-9 record with a 3.96 ERA over 170.1 innings in 2025.

Those aren't just numbers; they represent stability in a rotation that often felt like a rollercoaster ride.

The Orioles, desperate for veteran leadership to guide their young arms, see him as the perfect "dad" for their clubhouse.

It makes too much sense for them—he eats innings, knows the AL East, and never backs down from a fight.

For us, it would sting twice as hard because we know exactly what we'd be losing: a bulldog who leaves it all on the mound.

There is a genuine fear that his "old man strength" and crafty pitch mix will come back to haunt us at Camden Yards.

He was willing to pitch out of the bullpen in the playoffs last year, proving he puts the team above his own ego.

The Jays have already added Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, signaling a clear shift in the rotation's identity.

But Bassitt brought a unique fire that isn't easily replaced by just signing a check for a younger arm.

If he does sign with Baltimore, he instantly stabilizes their rotation behind guys like Grayson Rodriguez.

We can't blame him for taking a deal, but watching him shut down our lineup next summer will be absolute torture.

Hopefully, the front office has one more move up their sleeve to make sure we don't regret letting him walk.

Until the ink is dry, we can still hope he lands in the National League, far away from the Rogers Centre.

Previously on Toronto Baseball Insider

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FEVRIER 7\|440 ANSWERS Fan favorite Chris Bassitt expected to betray the Blue Jays for divisional Rival Is letting Chris Bassitt sign with a division rival a major mistake by the front office?
Yes	284	64.5 %
No	156	35.5 %
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