The Baltimore Orioles are headed for a very interesting offseason. With a club that battled for the most of the 2025 season, the Orioles may seek to make significant roster changes.
But one thing is certain: the Orioles should aim to contend once more. The 2025 season could have been a mirage, and the Orioles’ true potential could be seen during the 2024 regular season.
According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the Orioles are starting their summer with a very wise decision. In order to compete again, the Orioles are reacquiring an All-Star reliever who was sent to the Chicago Cubs before the trade deadline.
“The Cubs have traded Andrew Kittredge back to the Orioles for cash considerations, per both teams,” Rogers tells me.
This is a highly interesting move by the Orioles, as they will most likely pick up his $9 million option while also reacquiring their All-Star reliever for a small fee.
Baltimore is re-acquiring Kittredge, who the Orioles dealt to the Cubs at the 2025 trade deadline. Chicago also sent the Orioles a decent prospect.
Wilfri De La Cruz was traded to the Orioles for Kittredge. While the Cubs got 23 games out of the seasoned reliever, the Orioles received a prospect who is now ranked 24th by MLB Pipeline.
This implies that for Kittredge’s half-season, the Orioles received a top-30 prospect with intriguing potential. Later in the offseason, they re-acquired Kittredge for monetary considerations.
Kittredge, an 18-year-old prospect, was traded to the Cubs for 23 games before being returned to his original team.
Baltimore effectively loaned Kittredge to the Cubs for an intriguing prospect and some cash. It’s a wise move by the Orioles front office and a terrific way to start what might be a hectic offseason.