The New York Yankees have had a quiet offseason, but the team has been linked to several players.
One player the Yankees have been linked to is starting pitcher Chris Bassitt from the Toronto Blue Jays. Bassitt is a solid starting pitcher who can be a No. 3 or 4 with the Yankees. He would also help fill the void in the rotation to begin the season while Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon are injured.
However, ESPN MLB analyst David Schoenfield said Bassitt is no longer a fit for the Yankees.
“Bassitt has been the most dependable of the three with four straight seasons of 30-plus starts. And a strikeout rate that has barely budged year to year, sitting between 22.2% and 22.6% each season,” Schoenfield wrote. “He’s entering his age-37 season in 2026 and doesn’t light up the radar gun, but his consistency and durability make him a fairly safe bet as a mid-rotation option.
“One note here: Bassitt has had a big platoon split the past two seasons, with left-handers posting an .844 OPS against him and right-handers .632. So, for teams such as the Yankees, Phillies and Orioles — who play in three of the best parks for left-handed power hitters — Bassitt isn’t an optimal fit.”
Bassitt was an impact pitcher for the Blue Jays last season. During the playoffs, he was a high-leverage reliever for the team. So, that could be a path for the Yankees as he could start during the season. Then, go to the bullpen in the playoffs.
Yankees Have Shown Interest in Bassitt, Other Starters
With Cole and Rodon predicted to miss the start of the season, the Yankees have shown interest in some starting pitchers.
New York was linked to Edward Cabrera before the Miami Marlins traded him to the Chicago Cubs. Yet, the Yankees aren’t expected to pursue Bassitt or Lucas Giolito despite some previous interest.
“The Yankees were in on Edward Cabrera before the Miami Marlins traded him to the Chicago Cubs. So that suggests they’re looking for another starter with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon both unavailable to start the season,” Schoenfield added. “Maybe Cabrera was more of a one-off interest for New York as a younger starter with upside who still has three years of team control.
“As mentioned, Bassitt isn’t a good fit for Yankee Stadium. Giolito missed the 2025 postseason as he experienced late-season elbow soreness. So the Yankees might want to stay away from a pitcher with health risk.”
Bassitt was an All-Star in 2021. Last season with the Blue Jays, he was 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA.
New York Would ‘Love’ to Add a Starter
Despite the Yankees chasing the Blue Jays, New York hasn’t made a major move this offseason.
However, the team continues to be linked to Cody Bellinger and the Yankees also want a starting pitcher. General manager Brian Cashman said would “love to add a starter” amidst a quiet offseason.
“I just think the more, the better,” Cashman said in December about the rotation.
With Cole and Rodon injured, the Yankees’ starting rotation to begin the year will feature Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warren, and Ryan Yarbrough.
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