BALTIMORE, MD — In a bizarre and unexpected move just months after trading him away, the Baltimore Orioles have re-acquired veteran reliever Andrew Kittredge from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations. The transaction effectively represents a “do-over” for the Orioles, who originally sent Kittredge to the Cubs at the trade deadline for teenage shortstop prospect Wilfri De La Cruz.
The move is widely seen as a savvy piece of maneuvering by the Orioles front office, who essentially “rented” Kittredge to the Cubs for the second half of the season, received a solid prospect (De La Cruz) in the initial trade, and then got the veteran back for a nominal cash payment.
The Kittredge Context
The 35-year-old right-hander was highly effective for the Cubs down the stretch, helping solidify their bullpen for a playoff push.
- 2025 Regular Season Stats: 54 Games, 4-3 record, 3.40 ERA, 53.0 IP, 64 strikeouts, and a dominant 0.98 WHIP.
- Performance with Cubs: In 23 appearances after the deadline, Kittredge posted a 3.32 ERA with an impressive 32 strikeouts and only 3 walks in 21.2 innings. He also recorded five saves for Chicago.
- The Club Option: Kittredge’s original contract included a $9 million club option for the 2026 season (with a $1 million buyout). By re-acquiring him, the Orioles are now expected to exercise that option, securing a reliable late-inning arm for their struggling bullpen, which will be without the services of Félix Bautista for most or all of 2026.
Despite the back-and-forth, Kittredge expressed genuine affection for his time in Chicago:
“No matter where I go, Chicago Cubs will always have a special place in my heart. The time I spent there helped shape who I am as a player, and I’ll forever be grateful for the experience.”
🏈 NFL News: Saints Trade Trevor Penning to Chargers
NEW ORLEANS, LA — The New Orleans Saints have made an early offseason move, trading former first-round offensive lineman Trevor Penning to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 2027 draft pick. Sources are calling the trade a “Fresh Start for a Forgotten Giant.”
Trade Details:
- Saints Receive: A 2027 draft pick (widely reported to be a sixth-round selection).
- Chargers Receive: Offensive Lineman Trevor Penning.
Penning, the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Northern Iowa, had an up-and-down career in New Orleans, though his versatility was utilized across the line:
- He played in 46 career games with 29 starts.
- After starting all 17 games at right tackle in 2024, he shifted to left guard for the first six contests of the 2025 season.
For the Chargers, who have battled significant offensive line injuries (including season-ending injuries to both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater), the acquisition of the flexible Penning is a low-cost move to add much-needed depth and positional insurance immediately.
The Orioles trade for Kittredge is an unconventional start to the offseason. Do you think this type of “loan-and-return” deal will become a more common way for rebuilding teams to maximize value at the trade deadline?
