Chris Bassitt has been named the 2026 Players Choice Awards Marvin Miller Man of the Year. The former Blue Jays right-hander earned the honour from his peers.

The MLBPA made the announcement. “Chris Bassitt's commitment to his fellow players is unwavering,” the union wrote, thanking him for his dedication.

The Players Choice Awards are decided by a vote of the players. That's what makes this one hit harder than most.

The timing is notable. The collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, and a lockout looks likely.

When does a union's recognition of a player's commitment matter most? Probably right now.

Toronto fans know Bassitt well. He went 37-31 with a 3.89 ERA over three seasons with the Jays from 2023 to 2025.

Chris Bassitt's 2025 October run still resonates in Toronto

His best moments came in the 2025 postseason. He posted a 1.04 ERA in seven appearances during Toronto's run to Game 7 of the World Series.

He spent 2026 with the Orioles on a one-year deal. A June procedure to remove a bone spur from his lower back interrupted the year, though he posted a 3.74 ERA in eight starts afterward.

Now he's a free agent, and he hasn't decided whether he'll keep pitching. He has a 7-year-old and a 3-year-old at home, and he said his wife wants him home.

“So yeah, we'll cross that bridge when we do,” he said after the season.

Whatever he decides, this award says plenty. He was never the flashiest pitcher on a staff, but his peers clearly see him as one of the game's most respected voices.

He's the teammate who organizes the group dinner on every road trip. He doesn't always get the headline, but the clubhouse runs better with him in it.

Earlier this offseason, Bassitt was floated as a possible Blue Jays reunion. A cheap one-year deal would still make sense if he wants to keep pitching.

If this is the final chapter, it's a fitting one. If he keeps going, whichever clubhouse adds him gets far more than a starter.