Where will former Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt land in 2026?
Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Former Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt remains one of the more notable veteran pitchers still searching for a contract as Spring Training approaches.
Chris Bassitt’s three-year deal with Toronto Blue Jays expired this past winter, placing him among a crowded group of experienced free-agent arms still without a landing spot.
Over three seasons with the Blue Jays, Bassitt delivered steady production, posting a 3.89 ERA and 4.13 FIP across 541 1/3 innings while maintaining a 1.31 WHIP.
He served as a stabilizing presence in Toronto’s rotation and, when healthy, proved to be a dependable option out of the bullpen during the stretch run and into the postseason.
The Blue Jays are three outs away from a Game 1 win! #WorldSeries
Bassitt drawing lots of interest, but likely holding out for a starters role
Now 36, Bassitt is unlikely to command a long-term contract, but there’s little doubt he still has enough left to contribute meaningfully at the major league level.
Nicknamed “The Hound,” Bassitt continues to profile as a reliable starter, even if teams may view him more conservatively given his age.
While the Blue Jays would almost certainly welcome him back in a bullpen role, Bassitt has shown he’s still capable of starting games and is likely prioritizing opportunities that allow him to remain in a rotation.
Interest around the league hasn’t been lacking. In January, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Atlanta Braves had checked in on Bassitt.
More recently, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon linked the Detroit Tigers to the veteran right-hander.
Back in December, ESPN’s Jeff Passan noted that the New York Mets were active in the mid-tier starter market and searching for an innings-eater—an archetype that fits Bassitt well.
Though he’s spent most of his career as a dependable middle-of-the-rotation starter, Bassitt unveiled another dimension during the 2025 postseason: high-leverage relief work.
He emerged as one of the Blue Jays' most valuable arms late in the playoffs, recording a 1.04 ERA, 1.52 FIP, and a 33.3 percent strikeout rate across seven appearances out of the bullpen.
If Bassitt is unable to secure a deal that guarantees a rotation spot, a hybrid role—part back-end starter, part long reliever—could make sense for the Blue Jays or another contender.
And even if a return to Toronto doesn’t materialize, plenty of teams remain in need of pitching depth.
Despite his age potentially limiting his market, Bassitt should have little trouble finding a role somewhere this season.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 8|106 ANSWERS Where will former Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt land in 2026? Where will former Toronto Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt land in 2026? | ||
| Toronto Blue Jays | 65 | 61.3 % |
| Atlanta Braves | 21 | 19.8 % |
| Detroit Tigers | 13 | 12.3 % |
| New York Mets | 7 | 6.6 % |
| List of polls | ||