Former Blue Jays' starting pitcher explains his motive behind signing with Orioles

After spending three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, veteran right-handed starting pitcher Chris Bassitt signed with the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday as spring training quickly approaches.

Last season, Bassitt finished with an 11-9 record, 166 strikeouts, and a decent ERA of 3.96 through 32 games played, as Toronto reached the World Series before ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

With the Blue Jays signing other starting pitchers to the bullpen, including Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, it left Bassitt on the back burner, especially since he is nearing the twilight of his career. This week, he decided to sign with a division rival, the Orioles.

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When asked why Baltimore, the veteran kept it brief while also expressing confidence in his new team.

"No. 1 reason is a chance to win, and not just win a couple of games, but win a World Series, and I think this team has the ability to do that," Bassitt stated.

It's hard to argue with Bassitt when you take a look at the Orioles roster, along with the great acquisition of former New York Met Pete Alonso, who is one of the best hitters in the game, along with still maintaining elite talent such as Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman on offense.

Now, with the signing of Bssitt paired with the rest of the pitchers the team either brought on this offseason from other teams or that they re-signed, the Orioles have shown they are set up to have a better season after finishing last in one of the most competitive divisions in the league after making the postseason the previous two seasons.

For that to happen for Baltimore, it's going to take every player to lock in, and Bsssitt is already making it known he has the same goal in mind that every organization should have.

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