The Cubs acquired Andrew Kittredge from the Orioles at last July’s trade deadline for minor leaguer Wilfri De La Cruz, who has yet to play in North America (he was with the Cubs’ Dominican Summer League team).
Kittredge played well for the Cubs in his two months on the North Side, posting a 3.32 ERA and 0.831 WHIP in 23 appearances, in line with his career numbers.
Today, the Cubs sent him back where he came:
So that leaves Kittredge’s $9 million team option in the Orioles’ court; presumably, since they traded for him, they’ll want him back.
As far as Kittredge returning to the Cubs is concerned, I was kind of on the fence. Yes, he was effective, but he turns 36 in March and spending $9 million on him was something of a risk. I would think the Cubs can find a comparable reliever on the open market for less, as they did with Drew Pomeranz and Caleb Thielbar last season.
There’s one more Cubs transaction to note before I wrap this article:
After the 2022 season, many were comparing Keegan Thompson to Justin Steele, both having come out of the Cubs system and having decent rookie years, Thompson posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.4 bWAR and Steele with a 3.18 ERA and 2.1 bWAR.
Obviously, Steele took advantage of the opportunity and became one of the top starters in the league in 2023. Thompson struggled, going up and down between the Cubs and Triple-A Iowa. He turns 31 in March and likely will get every chance to make the Reds bullpen. I wish him well.
I would think we’ll hear more about Cubs transactions before Thursday, when option decisions are due. The Cubs still have two players left with options. Colin Rea has a $6 million team option which I expect the Cubs to pick up. Justin Turner has a $10 million team option or $2 million buyout, and I would expect the Cubs to pay him the buyout.
As always, we await developments.