Exploring Chris Bassitt’s role with the Blue Jays when he returns

Bassitt is a curious case because if the Jays want to re-sign him, there are two different ways they could use him next season.

What role will Chris Bassitt fill if he re-signs?

Bassitt started his season strong, posting a 2.98 ERA and 3.19 FIP in his first 51.1 innings pitched, or his first nine starts. In one of those starts, he struckout 10 batters, giving him a 24.9 K% at the time, well above his career 22 K%. By the end of the season, Bassitt was around his career norms, minus an increase in his ERA.

The veteran right-handed pitcher had some rough outings here and there, including six runs in two and a third innings, as well as eight earned runs in two innings. That said, he was fairly consistent all season in giving the Jays five or more innings, doing so 26 times in 31 starts. He had a strong April (2.62 ERA) and a strong September (2.66) that gave him a solid season.

One area of ​​concern throughout the season was his road and home splits. For the season, Bassitt pitched 93 innings at home and posted a respectable 2.71 ERA and 3.34 FIP, while his road ERA sat at 5.47 and his road FIP at 4.45 in 77.1 innings pitched. Funnily enough, the five games he couldn’t give the Jays five or more innings all came on a run.

In two of those games, the ones already mentioned, he gave up 14 earned runs in just 4.1 innings of work. When he removes these two games from all 15 of his road starts, Bassitt has a much more respectable 4.07 ERA on the road.

Simply put, Bassitt was a good starter in the middle of the rotation, and that will likely be the same in 2026. However, the Jays need to improve their rotation by adding a worst-case scenario starter in the middle of the rotation so their attention can be focused elsewhere.

If that’s the case, there’s still a way to keep Bassitt. After not being named to the Jays’ American League Divisional Series roster, Bassitt returned to pitch as a reliever for the American League Championship roster.

Still, it’s hard to see Bassitt moving into a bullpen role, as he still has a lot to offer in the rotation. It will be interesting to see what happens with the 36-year-old this season.