As Spring Training camps prepare to open across Florida and Arizona, one of the most reliable arms remaining on the open market is veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt. After a productive three-year stint with the Toronto Blue Jays that culminated in a deep 2025 postseason run, the 37-year-old “Hound” is reportedly down to a handful of serious suitors.
While several contenders are circling, the Atlanta Braves have emerged as the front-runners to land Bassitt, who is one of the top remaining free agents available heading into the 2026 season.
Why the Atlanta Braves Are the Perfect Fit
The Braves’ interest in Bassitt has intensified following the news that young starter Spencer Schwellenbach will open the 2026 season on the 60-day injured list.
With Spencer Strider still finding his footing post-surgery and Chris Sale entering his age-37 season, Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos is looking for the one thing Bassitt provides in spades: stability.
- Innings Eater: Bassitt has made at least 30 starts in four consecutive seasons.
- Postseason Experience: He proved his worth in the 2025 playoffs, posting a 1.04 ERA in seven relief appearances for Toronto, offering Atlanta a “Swiss Army Knife” for October.
- No Draft Compensation: Because Bassitt did not receive a qualifying offer, the Braves can sign him without forfeiting draft picks.
Projected Deal: Analysts expect a contract similar to the two-year, $40 million range, a manageable figure for a Braves team looking to stay under the harshest luxury tax penalties.
San Diego Padres
Never a team to shy away from a veteran arm, the Padres are looking for a high-floor starter to balance out a rotation that has seen significant turnover.
Following several trades that shipped out pitching prospects for immediate help, San Diego needs a reliable workhorse who won’t break the bank.
Bassitt offers the Padres a veteran leader who can eat innings in the middle of the order, potentially serving as a bridge to their elite bullpen and providing a steadying presence for a team that has struggled with consistency in the starting staff.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have money to burn after missing out on Framber Valdez, and while they are reportedly eyeing Zac Gallen, Bassitt remains a highly attractive “Plan B” or even a “Plan 1B.”
Baltimore is looking to raise the floor of the back end of their rotation, which currently relies on young arms like Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz and the returning Zach Eflin.
Bassitt’s ability to guarantee 170+ innings would alleviate the pressure on their high-leverage bullpen, though some analysts wonder if his tendency to give up the long ball to lefties makes him a risky fit for the short porch in Baltimore’s Camden Yards.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are in a “win-now” window after a strong 2025 finish and view Bassitt as the perfect mid-rotation stabilizer to pair with Justin Steele.
Chicago is looking for a professional “strike-thrower” who can handle the unpredictable wind conditions at Wrigley Field.
Bassitt’s deep arsenal of eight different pitches allows him to adapt his game plan based on the environment—a trait the Cubs’ front office highly values.
Signing Bassitt would give Chicago one of the deepest rotations in baseball, while allowing the Cubs to move a veteran like Jameson Taillon to the bullpen to bolster their late-inning depth.
New York Yankees
In the Bronx, the situation is one of pure necessity.
With both Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón set to miss the start of the 2026 season due to injury, the Yankees’ rotation looks dangerously thin.
While Bassitt doesn’t offer the “ace” upside of a healthy Cole, he is the ultimate insurance policy. The Yankees have a history of targeting durable veterans to stabilize the staff with injury concerns.
Plus, Bassitt’s experience in the high-pressure AL East market makes him a seamless plug-and-play option for Aaron Boone.
