The defending American League champions, the Toronto Blue Jays, have been one of the most active teams in the offseason.

The Blue Jays have made an intentional push to improve the roster in efforts to make it back to the World Series and win their third-ever championship.

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Most of the additions Toronto has made have been to the starting rotation. The organization signed right-hander Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract and 2025 Korean Baseball Organization MVP Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract.

The Blue Jays also saw several arms from the starting rotation this past season due to free agency. Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt are still available to sign with other teams.

According to a recent report, Bassitt could end up staying in the American League East with a rival team.

According to a report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Baltimore Orioles are considering signing Bassitt.

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Baltimore (in addition to Toronto) was one of the teams interested in left-handed starting pitcher Framber Valdez, who recently signed a three-year, $115 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. The Orioles are also reportedly interested in Zac Gallen and Lucas Giolito.

A departure to Baltimore would be a tough pill to swallow for the Jays. The Orioles have also improved this offseason and have brought in first baseman Pete Alonso, starting pitcher Shane Baz, closer Ryan Helsley and outfielder Taylor Ward, among others. Bassitt, despite entering his age-37 season, is still an effective starter.

Bassitt finished out the final year of a three-year, $63 million contract with the Blue Jays in 2025. He posted a 3.96 ERA and struck out 166 batters in 170.1 innings pitched across 32 appearances (31 starts).

Bassitt was used exclusively as a reliever during Toronto’s AL pennant-winning postseason. He had a 1.04 ERA and fanned 10 batters in 8.2 innings pitched in seven outings out of the bulllpen.

Bassitt finished his three-year tenure in the Great North with a 3.89 ERA and 520 strikeouts in 541.1 innings pitched across 96 appearances (95 starts). Bassitt also led the AL in wins his first season with the Blue Jays in 2023 and finished 10th in AL Cy Young voting that year.

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Currently, Toronto’s starting rotation shapes out to be: Kevin Gausman (RHP), Cease (RHP), Shane Bieber (RHP), Trey Yesavage (RHP) and Ponce (RHP) with Jose Berrios (RHP) potentially being used as both a reliever and starting pitcher.

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