Apr 17, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) stands at bat during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images
In his first year of arbitration eligibility, the Orioles and shortstop Gunnar Henderson agreed on a 2026 salary of $8.5 million. That’s the largest salary for an Orioles player in his first year of arbitration.
Henderson, who won Most Valuable Oriole awards in 2023 and 2024 and finished fourth in Most Valuable Player voting, didn’t have as productive a year in 2025. Henderson hit .274 with a .787 OPS, 17 home runs and 68 RBIs.
Catcher Adley Rutschman, who had a rough 2025 with a .220 average, .673 OPS and nine homers and 29 RBIs, gets a raise from $5.5 million to $7.25 million. Rutschman had two strained obliques and played in just 95 games.
Outfielder Taylor Ward, who was acquired for starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez in November, settled for $12.175 million. Ward made $7.825 million with the Los Angeles Angels a year ago.
First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who was projected to make $7.8 million, settled for $6.787 million, which was his 2025 salary. He also received a $7.5 million option for 2027. Mountcastle, who missed more than two months with a strained hamstring, played in just 89 games. He hit .250 with a .653 OPS, seven homers and 35 RBIs.
Also reaching settlements were pitchers Trevor Rogers ($6.2 million), Dean Kremer ($5.75 million), Shane Baz ($3.5 million), Tyler Wells ($2.445 million) and Yennier Cano ($1.6 million).
The Orioles did not reach agreements with Kyle Bradish or Keegan Akin and exchanged salary arbitration figures with both pitchers. Bradish filed at $3.55 million and the team filed at $2.875 million. Akin filed at $3.375 million and the Orioles filed at $2.975 million.
News of the Henderson, Kremer, Rogers and Wells agreements was first reported by the Baltimore Banner. News of the Mountcastle, Rutschman and Ward agreements was reported by Robert Murray of FanSided. News of the Baz agreement first came from ESPN’s Buster Olney and the Cano contract was first reported by Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. MLB.com first reported the filing numbers.
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