The Orioles and free-agent reliever Kittredge have agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The contract includes a $30 million salary for 2025 and a $1 million buyout for a $9 million club option in 2026. The Orioles will need to make a roster move to accommodate Kittredge once the deal is finalized.
Kittredge will serve as a setup man in front of closer Félix Bautista, who is returning from Tommy John surgery. The veteran joins other high-leverage bullpen options like Seranthony DomÃnguez, Yennier Cano, and Keegan Akin. Kittredge, who had 37 holds last season, is experienced in late innings, and will help solidify the Orioles’ bullpen. In 2024, he posted a 2.80 ERA over 70 2/3 innings and had a solid 23.3% strikeout rate while keeping walks to 7%. He’s known for his slider, which batters struggled to hit, with opponents swinging and missing 40% of the time.
While Kittredge is effective against right-handed batters, he has had a tough time against left-handed hitters, who hit .296 against him last season. However, the Orioles have a strong bullpen with multiple left-handed pitchers like Akin, Gregory Soto, and Cionel Pérez, giving manager Brandon Hyde flexibility to manage Kittredge’s matchups.
Kittredge, who will turn 35 before Opening Day, has been a solid contributor since debuting with the Rays in 2017. His standout season came in 2021 when he posted a career-best 1.88 ERA and made the All-Star team. After elbow surgery, he returned in 2024 with the Cardinals, continuing his strong performance. Kittredge is one of the top relievers in this year’s free agent market, though his age limited the scope of his contract.
MLB Trade Rumors ranked Kittredge as the 40th-best free agent this offseason, predicting a two-year, $14 million deal. While he did not secure that exact contract, he will earn a solid salary for 2025. He becomes the third pitcher and fourth free agent added
