Orioles Sign Reliever Andrew Kittredge to $10M Deal

The Baltimore Orioles have reached an agreement with free-agent reliever Andrew Kittredge on a one-year, $10 million contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The deal includes a $9 million salary for the 2025 season and a $1 million buyout on a $9 million club option for 2026. The Orioles, who currently have a full 40-man roster, will need to make a corresponding move to finalize the signing.

Kittredge, 34, is expected to step into a setup role in front of star closer Félix Bautista, who is returning from Tommy John surgery. The veteran right-hander joins a bullpen that includes hard-throwing Yennier Cano, Danny Coulombe, and Cionel Pérez as potential high-leverage options for manager Brandon Hyde. Kittredge brings extensive experience in late-inning situations, having led the National League with 37 holds in 2024 while finishing second in MLB behind Houston’s Bryan Abreu.

Last season with the St. Louis Cardinals, Kittredge appeared in 74 games, pitching 70.1 innings with a 2.80 ERA and a 3.96 FIP. He struck out 23.2% of batters while walking just 7%. His ability to strand runners was particularly notable, as he left 81.7% of runners on base, the highest mark among Cardinals relievers with significant innings pitched. Kittredge’s arsenal includes a dominant slider, which he threw nearly 50% of the time in 2024, generating a 41.3% whiff rate and a .177 batting average against.

The Orioles’ bullpen, already one of the strongest in the league, gains another reliable arm in Kittredge. His addition bolsters a unit that ranked among the top in MLB in ERA and strikeout rate last season. With Bautista’s return and Kittredge’s arrival, Baltimore aims to solidify its late-game pitching as it contends for another playoff run in 2025.

Kittredge’s signing marks the Orioles’ latest move to strengthen their roster following a successful 2024 campaign. The team, which won the American League East last season, has been active in the offseason, addressing key areas to maintain its competitive edge. Kittredge’s experience and consistency make him a valuable addition to a bullpen that will be crucial to the Orioles’ aspirations in the upcoming season.