A PITCHING TARGET THAT FEELS LIKE A SILLY CASHMAN SIGNING

With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón both coming off elbow problems and unlikely to be ready for Opening Day 2026, the Yankees’ rotation is basically a group chat titled “???” right now. So of course the offseason rumor machine has gone feral. One of the louder notes: Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors predicting the Yankees sign Chris Bassitt to a two-year, $38 million deal.

Bassitt, 36, has built a reputation as the league’s most reliable “Yeah, he’s fine” guy. Since joining Toronto in 2023, he’s been remarkably consistent: 30+ starts a year, 170+ innings, ERA floating in the perfectly medium zone between 3.60 and 4.16. He is the Chili’s of starting pitchers. Comfortable, familiar, dependable. Also unlikely to blow your mind.

But here’s the thing: I’m not convinced this is the move. Sure, being on a playoff-level team like the Blue Jays gave him some shine, but I don’t see the fit. At his age, he's not a long-term building block. He’s a temporary bridge, the guy holding the rotation together with duct tape until the real horses return.

In 2025, Bassitt put up a 3.96 ERA over 170.1 innings, striking out 22.6% of hitters while keeping walks in check. And yes, durability is massively valuable. Being able to take the ball every fifth day currently qualifies as a superpower in the Yankees universe.

But let’s call it like it is: Bassitt is not an ace. He’s not even a No. 2. He’s a middle-of-the-rotation adult who throws strikes and does the job. That’s great. That’s useful. That’s also not the answer.

Which is why this has big “Brian Cashman is coupon-clipping again” energy. Patchwork solutions, a couple of ‘pretty solid’ arms, hope the vibes carry us through. It’s the same logic that inspired him to collect four closers like Pokémon cards at the deadline. That wasn’t strategy. That was buying batteries because they were on sale.

This team needs real firepower. Not a holding pattern. Not a warm body with a glove.
No more middle-of-the-rotation shrug signings.

We’re supposed to be the Yankees, not a Home Depot clearance aisle.