Athletics Eye Chris Bassitt Return to Bolster Rising Rotation

The Oakland Athletics are quietly building a team that could turn heads in the coming seasons. After locking up promising left fielder Tyler Soderstrom with an $86 million contract, the A’s have secured a cornerstone for their future.

Soderstrom joins a young core that includes first baseman Nick Kurtz, shortstop Jacob Wilson, and catcher Shea Langeliers. Alongside them, veterans like Brent Rooker and recent acquisition Jeff McNeil provide experience and stability. On paper, this lineup presents a formidable challenge for opposing pitchers.

Despite the offensive talent, the A’s pitching remains a work in progress. Their 2025 rotation, led by Luis Severino and Jeffery Springs, struggled to contain runs, posting a 4.70 ERA—27th in the league. While their .252 batting average against ranked seventh, the staff generated just 1,323 strikeouts, placing them near the bottom in that category.

Playing home games at Sutter Health Park makes signing top-tier free-agent arms difficult, though not impossible. The team’s deal with Severino proves that strategic pitching acquisitions can happen, and the Athletics now appear ready to pursue another key piece.

1. Pitching Needs and Opportunity

Oakland’s most pressing need is a dependable innings eater to anchor the rotation. Enter Chris Bassitt, a right-hander with history in Oakland who could provide both stability and experience. Bassitt began his career with the Athletics, spending six seasons with the club and earning an All-Star appearance in 2021. Returning to the A’s could offer a fitting homecoming as he enters his age-37 season. Bassitt has consistently demonstrated durability, throwing at least 170 innings in each of the last four seasons. In contrast, only Jeffery Springs reached that threshold in 2025, highlighting the team’s need for a reliable workhorse. A veteran like Bassitt could allow younger pitchers to develop without being rushed into high-leverage situations. In addition to durability, Bassitt remains highly effective. In 2025 with Toronto, he posted a 3.96 ERA over 32 starts with a 166/52 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Those numbers would have led Oakland’s rotation in both ERA and strikeouts, underscoring his potential impact. While signing Bassitt won’t instantly transform the Athletics into a contender, it addresses a critical weakness. A dependable mid-rotation arm complements the team’s young, talented lineup, helping to bridge the gap between promise and consistent competitiveness.

2. Strategic Fit for the A’s

Beyond statistics, Bassitt brings experience and leadership that can benefit a developing pitching staff. His presence in the rotation provides mentorship for young starters and stability over a long season. The Athletics could leverage his familiarity with the organization to integrate him seamlessly into their plans. Short-term contracts may be the ideal route for both parties. Bassitt can secure a final productive stint before retirement, while Oakland can manage payroll flexibility and avoid committing long-term resources. Such an arrangement allows the team to remain agile in future free-agent markets. Adding Bassitt also gives the Athletics a chance to maximize their current roster’s potential. With offensive stars already in place, a strengthened rotation could convert talent into wins, helping the team regain prominence in a competitive American League. Even as a veteran nearing the end of his career, Bassitt fits Oakland’s rebuilding-through-youth strategy while simultaneously addressing a critical need. He provides a bridge between the team’s past and its emerging core of young stars.

3. Outlook and Free-Agent Strategy

The Athletics’ pursuit of Bassitt is emblematic of a broader strategy: complementing young talent with experienced, reliable veterans. Pitching remains the primary barrier between the team and contention, and landing a pitcher like Bassitt could accelerate the process. Negotiating a short-term deal will require effort, but the A’s have a compelling case. For Bassitt, returning to the team where he started his career offers both familiarity and purpose, while Oakland gains a proven rotation anchor. If successful, the move could solidify the middle of the rotation and set the stage for the Athletics to compete more consistently in the coming seasons. Bassitt’s addition wouldn’t be a headline-grabbing blockbuster, but it would be a practical, high-impact signing. For Oakland, this isn’t just about one pitcher—it’s about building a foundation that transforms young promise into sustained competitiveness. A deal with Bassitt could be the first step toward realizing that vision.