SIGNING: Orioles Add All-Star Closer To Their Bullpen

The Baltimore Orioles have gone tepidly into free agency this season, adding only 42-year-old Charlie Morton for their rotation on a one-year deal, and oft-injured outfielder Tyler O'Neill on a three-year deal. Late Thursday night, they made another of those under-the-radar, solid, 'around the periphery' signings, adding former All-Star reliever Andrew Kittredge.

Free-agent reliever Andrew Kittredge in agreement with Orioles on one-year, $10M contract, source tells @TheAthletic. Kittredge’s guarantee includes $9M in salary and a $1M buyout on a $9M club option.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 10, 2025

It's a one-year, $10 million contract for the former Tampa Bay Rays part-time closer. It has a $9M salary with a $1M club option on a second season.

The 34-year-old had a nice 2024 season for the St. Louis Cardinals with a 2.80 ERA over a career-high 74 appearances. He had a 67:20 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

In 2021, Kittredge was an All-Star with Tampa, posting a 1.88 ERA and an 0.97 WHIP, while recording 8 saves in a shared closer role. He was limited for much of the next two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2022.

In all, Kittredge has a 2.47 ERA over 170 appearances since the beginning of the 2020 season, and should be a nice addition to the Orioles bullpen which was light on depth heading into 2025.

In addition to Kittredge, they'll also add back their 2023 All-Star closer Félix Bautista, who will return after missing all of the ‘24 season due to Tommy John surgery.