For all the promise right-hander Andrew Kittredge brought to the Baltimore Orioles last year with his signing, it was only short lived, as he spent the first three months of the season on the injured list.
Kittredge did return to the Birds to help add some stability to the bullpen, appearing in 31 games and covering 31.1 innings to the tune of a 3.45 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP.
His return and success showed why he was in high demand as a free agent and why he was such an attractive piece on the trade market. The Chicago Cubs ultimately picked up his services in exchange for infielder Wilfri De La Cruz, who is currently the Orioles’ No. 24 prospect.
In a move that shows how shrewd president of baseball operations and acting GM Mike Elias can be, the Orioles have announced they have traded cash considerations to the Cubs for the return of Kittredge.
The Orioles get back a veteran reliever who will be able to provide back-of-the-pen experience as well as veteran leadership but also retain a piece they had high hopes for while picking up a top 30 prospects in less than a year’s time.
Kittredge finished 2025 with a 4-3 record across 54 games with a 3.40 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP in 53 innings pitched. He finished the year with 15 holds, five saves in six chances, struck out 64 and walked only 11.
Kittredge’s contract is a club option valued at $9 million for the 2026 season, which includes a $1 million buy out. The incentive break downs are as follows:
• Performance Incentives: $500K total
• Appearances: $250K total ($200K earned)
– 35: $50K (earned)
– 40: $50K (earned)
– 45: $50K (earned)
– 50: $50K (earned)
– 55: $50K
• Games Finished: $250K total
– 35: $50K
– 40: $50K
– 45: $50K
– 50: $50K
– 55: $50K
• Reliever of the Year: $100K ($50K for finalist)
• WS MVP: $100K
• All-Star: $50K
• Gold Glove: $50K
We at The Baltimore Battery would like to welcome Andrew Kittredge back to Charm City and wish him the best of success in 2026.
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