Bassitt was his usual reliable self as a starting pitcher last season, posting a 3.96 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 170 ⅓ innings pitched. He made at least 30 starts for the fourth year in a row, despite landing on the injured list at the end of September.
The 36-year-old returned from his injury as a reliever in the ALCS before becoming one of the Blue Jays’ most trusted weapons in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He gave up just one run on three hits in 8 ⅔ innings out of the bullpen in the playoffs.
Bullpen Bassitt was a different beast. He threw his fastballs harder, simplified his repertoire and attacked hitters more aggressively than during the regular season. He also handled high-pressure situations with the cool demeanor of an 11-year veteran.
We’re posting the best moments from every Blue Jays season since 1996! Today is 2023, when Chris Bassitt threw a complete game shutout against the Atlanta Braves! 🎥Sportnet | #bluejays
This mix of calm and wisdom would be a serious boost for the Blue Jays bullpen, which is not without question marks in 2026. Having Bassitt as an option would give manager John Schneider an arm he could rely on in any meaningful situation.
Bassitt, like Eric Lauer, would also provide valuable pitching depth in the event of injury. The Blue Jays’ rotation seems loaded on paper, but the adage that you should never have too much pitching always holds true over the course of a 162-game season.
There’s also something to be said for Bassitt’s leadership. He and fellow veteran Max Scherzer were two of the key votes on the 2025 Blue Jays; losing both of them this offseason could have unfortunate consequences from a cultural standpoint.
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