Padres could be in the mix for Chris Bassitt in free agency

Justin Backer

Padres could be in the mix for Chris Bassitt in free agency image

The San Diego Padres will be in the mix for starting pitching depth this offseason. Recently, a reliable middle of the rotation option has been linked to San Diego.

The Athletic’s Andy McCullough has linked veteran starter Chris Bassitt to the Padres. Bassitt is an 11-year veteran who most recently pitched with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2025, Bassitt pitched to an 11-9 record with a 3.96 ERA, and was a key part of the Blue Jays’ World Series run.

In his career, Bassitt has pitched to a 83-65 record with a 3.64 ERA, and has proven to be a steady and reliable option for the majority of his career. 

McCullough explained why Bassitt would make sense for the Padres as a veteran presence in the starting rotation, especially given their current situation on that front. 

“Approaching his 37th birthday, Bassitt is finishing up a three-year, $63 million deal that went well for both him and the Toronto Blue Jays,” McCullough said. “His presence could stabilize the San Diego rotation. Yu Darvish will miss the season. Joe Musgrove is coming back from Tommy John surgery. Michael King may sign elsewhere. Bassitt is a veteran you can trust.”

With the Padres looking to stay competitive in 2026, Bassitt could be a solid option for the top of their rotation while they aim to get healthier. 

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