Orioles right-hander Chris Bassitt didn't hold back while discussing Baltimore's challenging 2026 campaign and the recent trade of catcher Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox.
"I thought Mike (Elias) put a really good team together in the start of the season, and we did not hold our end of the bargain up, for one reason or the next," Bassitt said Tuesday, according to The Baltimore Banner's Andy Kostka.
"He did what's best for the team - I think, obviously, you can argue not now, but for the future, for sure. I don't (have) one ounce of so-called anger at Mike. I'm angry at myself. I'm angry at all the guys in here, just 'cause we haven't done a good job."
The Orioles entered the season with high expectations after general manager Elias made a number of notable moves. The team added sluggers Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward to its still-promising lineup while beefing up the pitching staff with Bassitt and closer Ryan Helsley.
The additions produced minimal improvement, however. Baltimore was 53-65 on Aug. 11 of last year and enters Tuesday with a 57-62 record.
The Orioles' lack of success prompted the front office to trade Rutschman, a clubhouse leader and the team's starting catcher, with one year remaining on his contract following this campaign. Baltimore also traded Ward to the Seattle Mariners, among other moves.
Although the Orioles subtracted from their roster at the trade deadline, Bassitt said he's still hopeful the club can make the postseason. Baltimore is three games back of the AL's final wild-card spot.
"We're still in it. That's the craziest part about this whole thing, is we can be mad about the trade deadline and how the year's gone, and everything else, but we're right here," he said.
"So, it's just more so trying to accept what has happened and then just move forward and go together and try to hold each other to the highest standards, win a bunch of games, and get into the playoffs."
