Two trades highlighted some of the notable offseason action from November 4. Baltimore traded for Andrew Kittredge, as the Orioles add back the veteran to fill at least one bullpen spot for 2026. The Mets, meanwhile, picked up journeyman reliever Joey Gerber from the Rays.
Orioles re-acquire Kittredge
The Orioles announced that the team traded for reliever Andrew Kittredge. It was for cash, per the team.
Kittredge pitched well for the Cubs when he was with the team. The veteran righty ranked 46th out of 250 relievers who threw at least 10 innings over the final months of the season in wOBA (.245). He struck out 32 over 21 innings, earning him the 10th-highest K/9 (13.3) in that span.
With Daniel Palencia hurt for much of the final month, Kittredge picked up five saves as a Cub.
The scouting report hasn’t changed on Kittredge. He’ll regularly pump into the mid-90s with his sinker and four-seamer, to go along with a power slider and a deceptive, crossfire delivery.
Baltimore traded Kittredge to the Cubs back in July, seven months after the Orioles signed him in free agency. It was a good deal at the time, given that Baltimore was out of contention and netted a bonus baby in infield prospect Wilfri De La Cruz. Playing as a 17-year-old, De La Cruz had 14 extra-base hits and a 46:36 BB:K ratio across 40 games in the DSL.
Kittredge had a $9MM team option for 2026. That option comes with a $1MM buyout that’s likely irrelevant in this case.
Mets trade for Gerber
Yet again, the Mets make a deal with the Rays. Tampa Bay traded Joey Gerber, a right-handed reliever, to the Mets for cash.
Gerber pitched in the Majors this year for the first time since 2020. The right-hander made his MLB debut during the pandemic-shortened season, two years after he was drafted by Seattle out of the University of Illinois. Since then, he bounced around the Yankees and Rays’ organizations.
A 6’4” righty, Gerber is primarily a two-pitch pitcher. He leaned heavily on a carrying four-seamer that’ll sit in the mid-90s, coupled with a mid-80s slider. Down in the Minors, Gerber sprinkled in a changeup, along with a slower, mid-70s sweeper.
He gave up a fair amount of contact, including nine home runs and 49 hits over 44 frames with Triple-A Durham. However, a lot of whiffs (31% Whiff%) and strikeouts. Gerber punched out 51 with the Bulls.
The Mets still need relievers, as Gregory Soto, Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, Ryne Stanek, and Edwin Diaz are all free agents. Nonetheless, it’s a depth add.
Additionally, the Mets re-signed Brandon Waddell to a one-year deal.
Other news
The Red Sox signed Jarren Duran to a one-year deal, worth $7.7MM per MLB.com. Duran wasn’t eligible for free agency unless he was non-tendered. However, it’s notable that Duran had an $8MM team option that was declined by the Red Sox.
Check out more of our MLB coverage.