Andrew

Kittredge

The deal is now official after Kittredge passed his physical. The 34-year-old veteran right-hander features a deadly sinker-slider combo and figures to jump right into Baltimore’s high-leverage mix behind closer Félix Bautista. He finished last year with one save and 37 holds for the Cardinals along with a sparkling 2.80 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 67/20 K/BB ratio across 70 2/3 innings (74 appearances).

Kittredge will get $9 million this year and either $9 million or a $1 million buyout in 2026. The 34-year-old Kittredge was one of the NL’s top setup men last year, picking up 37 holds with a 2.80 ERA for the Cardinals. However, his peripherals weren’t as strong, leaving him with a 3.96 FIP and a 4.05 xERA. He’ll battle Yannier Cano and Seranthony Domínguez for eighth-inning duties in Baltimore, assuming that Felíx Bautista proves healthy.

The Blue Jays just traded Jordan Romano to the Phillies, and even if they hadn’t have moved Romano, Toronto would likely be interested in upgrading their bullpen for 2025. Estevez is particularly interesting as a potential target here, as the 31-year-old was effective as a closer last year for both the Angels and Phillies. It seems very plausible that Estevez could end up trading places with Romano as the Toronto stopper in 2025.

Ryan Helsley had this one off after throwing 39 pitches the previous two days, and Kittredge got the nod over Jojo Romero in his place. Kittredge has a 3.60 ERA in 30 innings out of the St. Louis bullpen.

The Cardinals just acquired Kittredge from the Rays last week for OF Richie Palacios. The 33-year-old Kittredge posted a 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 10/2 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings with the Rays in 2023 after coming back from Tommy John surgery. In 2022, Kittredge registered a 3.15 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 14/2 K/BB ratio in 20 innings before getting hurt, so he figures to provide a boost for the Cardinals’ pen.

As anticipated, the Cardinals add some bullpen help by dealing once again from their excess of outfielders. Kittredge, 33, registered a 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 10/2 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings with the Rays during the 2023 campaign . He’s also accumulated 15 saves over the past four seasons with the Rays, so he does have some experience in the ninth inning. Expect him to settle into a setup role in the seventh or eighth inning to begin his tenure with the Cardinals.

Sherman notes that outfielder Richie Palacios would be heading to the Rays as part of the deal. The Cardinals are intent on improving the back-end of their bullpen, and Kittredge would certainly help the cause. The 33-year-old hurler posted a 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 10/2 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings with the Rays in 2023. Stay tuned.

The Rays have already shed the arbitration-eligible guys they didn’t want, including Christian Bethancourt, Jalen Beeks and Josh Fleming. Andrew Kittredge was probably their closest cut, but it makes sense to pay him $2 million-$2.5 million in the hopes that he’ll return to 2021 form after Tommy John surgery.

It didn’t take long for the 33-year-old hurler to factor into the late-inning mix for the Rays, as this outing represented his 2023 season debut after a lengthy recovery from Tommy John surgery. He made it look easy also, needing just 12 pitches to retire Mike Moustakas, Logan O’Hoppe and Mickey Moniak in order. Keep in mind though, Pete Fairbanks worked the ninth inning in a tied game — the usage that’s typically reserved for a close. Expect Kittredge to see the occasional save opportunity, but he’s not an imminent threat to usurp the gig altogether.

The 33-year-old is making his return to the Tampa Bay bullpen after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. Kittredge made 15 appearances out of the bullpen in the minor leagues, including throwing 12 1/3 innings in Triple-A where he posted a 5.40 ERA. The veteran has been a crucial component of the Tampa Bay bullpen over the years with a 3.68 ERA over six seasons. He figures to work his way slowly back into high leverage situations. Hector Perez was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Kittredge.