Andrew Kittredge and the Baltimore Orioles finalized a one-year, $10 million contract on Monday. The deal includes a $9 million salary for this year and a $9 million team option for 2026, with a $1 million buyout.
The 34-year-old right-handed reliever posted a 5-5 record with a 2.80 ERA and one save for the St. Louis Cardinals last season, striking out 67 and walking 20 in 70 2/3 innings. He spent the previous seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays and has a 23-12 career record, with a 3.44 ERA across 240 relief appearances and 15 starts.
Kittredge’s arrival bolsters a Baltimore bullpen that could see a significant boost with the return of closer Félix Bautista, who missed last season due to Tommy John surgery. The Orioles had signed Craig Kimbrel as a temporary replacement, but he struggled and was released before the season ended.
Kittredge adds another late-inning option to the bullpen. Though he has become less of a groundball pitcher in recent years, his style could still be effective at Camden Yards, particularly with the left-field wall moved in for 2025.
After losing ace Corbin Burnes to Arizona in free agency, the Orioles have remained active but not overly aggressive in the market. They’ve signed Charlie Morton, Gary Sánchez, Tomoyuki Sugano, and now Kittredge to one-year deals. Baltimore also made a three-year commitment to outfielder Tyler O’Neill, though that contract includes a player opt-out after 2025.
