CHICAGO – The Cubs brought veteran righty Andrew Kittredge into the fold at the Trade Deadline this past season to add an experienced arm to the bullpen for the stretch run and playoffs. He is now headed back to Baltimore.
On Tuesday, the North Siders announced that they traded Kittredge – acquired from the Orioles only a few months ago – back to Baltimore in exchange for cash considerations. The trade takes the Cubs off the hook for the $9 million club option (or $1 million buyout) in Kittredge’s contract for the ‘26 season.
TRADE DETAILS
Cubs receive: Cash considerations
Orioles receive: RHP Andrew Kittredge
Prior to the Deadline, the Cubs landed Kittredge in exchange for 18-year-old shortstop prospect Wilfri De La Cruz, who is currently ranked No. 24 by MLB Pipeline on the Orioles’ Top 30 list.
After joining the Cubs, the 35-year-old Kittredge turned in a 3.32 ERA in 23 games down the stretch, striking out 32 and walking three in 21 2/3 innings. The righty grew into one of manager Craig Counsell’s trusted arms for high-leverage moments, appearing in five playoff games, including one as an opener.
Kittredge is the latest in a substantial list of arms to exit from Chicago’s ‘25 relief corps. Righty Brad Keller, along with lefties Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz – an important trio for late-inning situations – are all free agents. Other free-agent relief options from the Cubs include righties Ryan Brasier, Aaron Civale and Michael Soroka, as well as lefty Taylor Rogers.
The Kittredge trade on Tuesday also comes after the Cubs opted against picking up the three-year club option on lefty starter Shota Imanaga, who declined a one-year player option and became a free agent, a source told MLB.com. Chicago will be in the market for pitching reinforcements for the rotation and bullpen this winter.