When the Baltimore Orioles signed veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt to a one-year, $18.5 million deal, they added much-needed stability to a rotation coming off a 75-87 season.
Bassitt’s arrival is part of Baltimore’s push to reestablish itself in the AL East, and former major league outfielder Kevin Pillar was quick to weigh in on the signing.
Pillar, now a Blue Jays analyst for Sportsnet and co-host of “Blue Bird Territory,” brings both playing experience and recent perspective to the conversation. Having faced Bassitt during his career — recording one hit in seven plate appearances against him — Pillar understands firsthand the challenges that the right-hander presents.
“This is a guy who’s very durable. He’s a guy who takes the ball every fifth day,” Pillar said on Glenn Clark Radio Feb. 12. “Does he have the ‘A’ stuff? No, but he has command of five, six, seven, eight pitches. He’s a true pitcher. He’s someone who can change speeds and locate.”
That innings-eating pitcher is precisely what Baltimore lacked in 2025, when injuries and inconsistency left an already thin rotation flailing. Pillar noted that Bassitt has reached 27 starts in each of the past five seasons and ranks among the league leaders in innings pitched during that span.
Bassitt, soon to be 37, spent the past three seasons with the Blue Jays. Most recently, he went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA in 2025 and pitched meaningful innings in the postseason. While some analysts caution that a pitcher of Bassitt’s age and repertoire offers more durability than dominance, Pillar emphasized what veteran leadership can add — not just in the form of innings, but in mentorship for younger arms like Baz, Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers.
Baltimore also added slugger Pete Alonso, starter Shane Baz and closer Ryan Helsley. The rotation, though, suddenly looks less like a question mark with Bassitt in the mix.
“I love what Baltimore did this offseason,” Pillar said. “… I love what that division is becoming again and has always been. I think Baltimore definitely took a step back last year, obviously through some injuries. Did they need to go out and acquire that ace that a lot of people were hoping that they did? I don’t know.”
Perhaps most importantly, Pillar’s comments reflect a broader shift in how teams value pitchers who consistently deliver innings, composure and craftiness. For a franchise striving to return to contention, Bassitt might be just what they needed — not as a savior, but as a steadying voice on the mound and in the clubhouse.
Pillar said Bassitt’s willingness to work out of the bullpen in the playoffs last October was key to the Blue Jays’ run to the World Series.
“Chris Bassitt was one of the Blue Jays’ five starters throughout the entire year, then comes Trey Yesavage and the activation of Shane Bieber,” Pillar said. “Chris Bassitt kind of gets pushed aside. As opposed to pouting about it and being a bad teammate, he sits out the first two rounds of the postseason, keeps himself ready, stays in shape and then for the last two rounds they use him out of the bullpen … and was outstanding out of the bullpen last year.”
For more from xx, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Baltimore Orioles