The Chris Bassitt rumor mill was buzzworthy enough, but things got messy when insiders revealed that the Blue Jays might bring him back for a completely different mission. For a player who has long been considered a “steady pillar” in the rotation, the idea of redefining Bassitt’s role made many stop, raise their eyebrows, and wonder: What is Toronto planning?
After a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Dodgers in the 2025 World Series, the Blue Jays’ offseason is picking up speed. Their impressive run back to the Fall Classic for the first time in more than 30 years was enough to fuel expectations, but also expose holes that need to be addressed. Amid the forecasts, speculation, and analysis, Bassitt’s name suddenly emerged as the center of the storm.
Bassitt, 36, just finished a three-year contract with Toronto — where he became a symbol of durability. In 2025, he appeared in 31 games, threw 170.1 innings, had a 3.96 ERA, and 166 strikeouts. At Rogers Centre, he was even better, with a 2.71 ERA. Fans loved “Hound on the Mound” for his deep runs, helping to lighten the bullpen.
But it was the 2025 postseason that turned things around. After a back injury sidelined him, Bassitt returned as a reliever — and turned into a secret weapon. In 8.2 innings over seven appearances, he allowed just one earned run, had a 1.04 ERA, and a 0.58 WHIP. He locked down the eighth inning in Game 1 of the World Series, and became a reliable option in the most pressure-sensitive moments.
That performance opened up a whole new debate. According to multiple sources at MLB Trade Rumors and Sportsnet, the Blue Jays are seriously considering re-signing Bassitt — but not as a starter, but as a bullpen anchor. With a rotation that already includes Gausman, Berríos, and Bieber, plus young talents like Yesavage and Francis on the rise, Bassitt is seen as a valuable “multi-purpose weapon.”
An AL East scout put it bluntly:
“Bassitt has proven he can be explosive in short innings. Switching roles could extend his career and give the Jays what they’ve been missing most: a solid bullpen.”
Bassitt himself has expressed his willingness. After Game 7, he said:
“I’m looking forward to being back with this group. I really do.”
His affection for Toronto is unquestioned, but the reliever role is unfamiliar territory for him. Sources say Bassitt would consider a salary in the $10–12 million range. But starter-less teams like the Mets and Athletics are also eyeing him, with the promise of securing a rotation spot.
If Bassitt were to move to the bullpen, the impact on the structure of the roster would be huge. It would open the door for young talent to enter the rotation, while also injecting experience into a bullpen that blew 22 save chances in 2025. Bassitt, known for his humor and ability to bring the locker room together, could be the emotional piece that the bullpen lacked.
But not everyone is on board. His batting speed has dropped to 92 mph late in the season, raising concerns about whether the “starter-to-reliever” model is sustainable. Journalist Keegan Matheson asks:
“He’s a pure starter. But if anyone can adapt, it’s Bassitt.”
Fans, as usual, are divided but no less excited. Social media is awash with memes of Bassitt wearing a reliever’s cap, and podcasts are debating whether it was a genius move or a desperate move. But regardless of which side they’re on, everyone agrees on one thing: the move could be the catalyst that propels Toronto closer to a championship they’ve narrowly missed.
As free agency heats up, all eyes turn to Rogers Centre. Will Bassitt return as a new piece to the bullpen, or take a late-career adventure as a starter elsewhere?
In a tumultuous offseason, Bassitt’s story has become proof that in baseball, unexpected twists are always the stuff fans are thrilled about — and sometimes, they make the difference.
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