SARASOTA – Chris Bassitt had a list of reasons why he wanted to sign with the Orioles, a deal that was made official last night.

He shared only the first one when asked by a reporter.

“Obviously, the No. 1 reason is a chance to win,” he said this morning while standing at his new locker. “And not just win a couple games, but it’s win a World Series, and I think this team has the ability to do that.”

Bassitt agreed to an $18.5 million deal for 2026 after registering a 3.96 ERA last summer with Toronto and making seven relief appearances in the playoffs, allowing one run and three hits with 10 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings.

“He brings a lot to this club,” said manager Craig Albernaz. “I think obviously the veteran leadership that he brings. He’s battle tested. He’s pitched in some really big games. And also, he brings a sense of calmness to the group. He’s been to a ton of spring trainings, a variety of different teams. … He’s gonna fit in right away, with everything I know and heard about him, so it’s just another person where our young pitchers and honestly every player can lean on throughout the season.”

The Blue Jays reached Game 7 of the World Series before losing to the Dodgers in 11 innings. Bassitt can identify the traits needed to get there, adding significance to his decision to pitch for the Orioles.

“The biggest thing obviously is just the talent in the room. You have to have the talent in the room. This team checks that box,” he said.

“And then, you have to be tougher than any other team. On and off the field you have to do things right. And then, you have to push each other, you have to look out for each other, you have to understand the dynamic of the team and kind of what everyone is going through so you can protect each other, and things like that. I’m here to protect everybody, so to speak. I know that. I’m here to help the rotation, help the bullpen, whatever I need to do.

“It’s just, how close can we get, how much can we mesh together, how can we play the game the right way. And do things the right way on and off the field to make sure we’re healthy and happy and things like that.”

Bassitt said he hasn’t gotten over the World Series loss. He knows the only way to do it.

Win one.

“Still have a lot of pain from it for sure. It’s for sure unfinished business,” he said.

“Being so close and yet still so far away, it sucks, but anything in baseball or anything really in life is like, the failures teach you everything. So like, we failed. And a lot of people will say, ‘Yeah, you didn’t really fail. There wasn’t really a loser in that World Series.’ We lost. We failed. We did things the wrong way. And I think the only way to learn and the only way to really get through things is to fail.”

He didn’t change teams again just to go through more pain.

The Orioles traded for Shane Baz, re-signed Zach Eflin and kept pursuing another starter, aiming much higher by negotiating with Ranger Suárez and Framber Valdez. They also had reported interest in Justin Verlander and Lucas Giolito on the lower tier.

Bassitt was on their radar but understood that he wasn’t a priority early in the process.

“I would say the Orioles were involved pretty much from Day 1,”  he said. “I front office, I give them a lot of credit because they were very, very open with me about kind of who they were targeting and where I was at on the list of targets, so to speak. So yeah, it was just waiting.

“I wish things were a lot faster than what they were, but at the end of the day I’m really happy to be here. I’m really excited for this group.”

The last three of Bassitt’s 11 major league seasons were spent with Toronto, so he’s able to stay in the American League East. He finds comfort in dangerous territory.

“I know a lot of divisions can say they’re the best, but I’ll argue till I die that this is the best division in baseball. And I think the best way to get to a World Series is to get through this division,” he said.

“It’s from top to bottom the hardest division in baseball, in my opinion, and I’m not gonna really run from that. Pretty excited to be a part of this group and hopefully make some noise like they did in ’23 and things like that.”

Signing with the Orioles also puts Bassitt in the same clubhouse with first baseman Pete Alonso, his Mets teammate in 2022.

“I know what he brings to the team,” Bassitt said. “I’m excited for the addition of Pete. One of the big reasons why I came here was Pete. Need a bunch of really good players that go about their business the right way to do what you want to do. I’m really excited to play with Pete again.”

Bassitt talked to Alonso about the Orioles and also reached out to Eflin, wanting to ascertain which team gave him the best chance to win.

A mutual friendship with pitcher Jake Diekman bonded Bassitt and Eflin. The three families went on vacation together two years ago, and Bassitt and Eflin grew closer. They’ve gone to MLB Christian conferences and played golf in the offseason.

“I think it’s a great addition,” said Eflin, who hopes to throw his first live batting practice next week. “I think he can bring so much to the team culturally, competitiveness side. … Just how long he’s been doing it. Everything he’s been through. You saw him last year in the World Series run coming out of the bullpen, just being a dog out of the bullpen. He just brings that mentality of, we’re gonna win a World Series, and you can never hurt to have another guy like that.”

Eflin heard from Bassitt after the agreement was reached.

“He texted me and said, ‘Let’s go win a title,’ and I was like, ‘Dude, you’re gonna love it here,’” Eflin said.

“The guys are incredible. I honestly can’t even say enough good things about this place. The only place I wanted to play this year was here. This offseason, I didn’t know if I was gonna get that opportunity, so to have that opportunity come back and be around these guys is huge, and to add somebody like Bassitt is like icing on the cake.”

Bassitt made 11 starts against the Orioles in his career, so he’s gotten to know the position player side of the club.

“I’m glad not to face them anymore,” he said.

“Their lineup has always been one of the best lineups in baseball, so I’m happy to be on the good side of that rather than having to game plan for them and figure out how to get these guys out. Get to watch them and root for them. That will be an added bonus for sure, watching these guys.”

The Orioles put Bassitt’s locker between catchers Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo, an unusual arrangement for a starter to dress in that row. Maybe it’s temporary because the space was available. Maybe Rutschman and Basallo could use the time to learn Bassitt’s vast pitch mix, which consists of a sinker, cutter, curveball, four-seam fastball, sweeper, split-finger, slider and changeup.

“We have some time to break that down and figure that out,” Bassitt said with a grin. “Being Day 1, it’s just saying ‘hi’ and get to know the people. I think one of the biggest things is just, baseball will come. To me, it’s more so learning the people in the room, learning who they are, learning kind of what it takes for them to be the best they can be. And then the baseball’s gonna come.

“I’m not overly concerned the baseball-aspect of it right now. I’m more concerned about kind of just learning the guys in the room and just who they are, who needs to be pushed, who doesn’t need to be pushed. What can I say to guys, what can’t I say to guys. Things like that.”

Bassitt said his goodbyes to Toronto in an emotional social media post. He fought this morning to avoid choking up.

“I loved the guys on the team,” he said. “I think a lot of fans for whatever reason think I’m crazy or tough and things like that, but I’ve got a big heart when it comes to my teammates, former teammates past. I still love all my Oakland guys, I love all the Mets guys, I’ll always love the Toronto guys.

“It’s just a matter of, saying goodbye sucks. That’s just a human element of the game is just saying goodbye sucks. But I get to love these guys now, so I’m excited about it.”