Chris Bassitt’s future may lie with the Braves

With the signing of Tatsuya Imai to the Houston Astros, there are fewer pitchers still immersed in the autonomy process, and Chris Bassitt is one of them.

The man who has worn the uniform of the Toronto Blue Jays for the past three seasons could continue his career in Georgia, with the Atlanta Braves. At least, that's the logical destination for Rowan Kavner of FOX Sports in his analysis of pitchers still available.

Now that Tatsuya Imai is off the board after his reported three-year deal with the Astros, @RowanKavner lists his top five remaining starting pitchers along with a logical landing spot for each of them.

Read more on his landing spots for them here: https://t.co/uoAcExigHw pic.twitter.com/sZ5CFvBQc5

– FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) January 2, 2026

Bassitt has pitched big innings for the Jays, and that's exactly what the Braves are looking for and needing right now, as they've been hit hard by injuries to their starters in 2025. Bassitt would join a rotation currently made up of Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Grant Holmes.

The Braves didn't fare too well in 2025, finishing second-to-last in their division with a 76-86 losing record, a season of misery for the team's fans accustomed to much more than that. A slap in the face would illustrate the recent situation. In 2026, they'll want to bounce back, and by relying on more reliability on the mound, they'll give themselves a better chance of doing so.

2026 will also be a year of transition for Atlanta, with Walt Weiss taking over as manager from Brian Snitker, who announced his retirement at the end of last season. A change of guard that will inevitably bring certain new work habits to the Braves.

Bassitt has the ideal profile to calm things down in Atlanta. A veteran of 11 seasons in the majors, Bassitt, who will turn 37 before the start of next season, has seen it all. Arriving in Toronto in 2023, he has always offered his manager more than 30 starts, and has consequently been present whenever the team has needed him. Last year, he finished the season in the bullpen as younger, more effective arms were available to lead the Jays to their ultimate destination. The big right-hander didn't sweat the small stuff and got the job done when he was asked to.

In doing so, the Ohio native proved that he is a good team player and can still help a team in need. In Toronto, Bassitt no longer fits in, and will likely start next season in a new uniform.

By comparison: the only pitcher to make more than 25 starts for the Braves in 2025 is Bryce Elder.

Really, those who have spoiled their fans for several seasons by winning the Nationals East title repeatedly will have to stir the soup by adding new ingredients. Newly appointed Walt Weiss will want to impose his philosophy and allow his team to regain their place among Major League Baseball's elite.

The addition of Chris Bassitt to the Braves' rotation would be like a balm on a wound that, hopefully, will eventually heal to the delight of their fans.

This content was created with the help of AI.