Orioles reach agreement with 9 players on 2026 contracts; Akin, Bradish could be headed to arbitration

Nine of the 11 arbitration-eligible Orioles reached agreement on 2026 contracts on Thursday while two have not and could be heading to arbitration hearings.

Right-handed starter Kyle Bradish, who started six games in 2025 after June 2024 Tommy John surgery, and left-handed reliever Keegan Akin did not reach agreement and have exchanged figures with the team.

Bradish is asking for $3.55 million while the Orioles offered $2.875 million. Akin, in his last year of arbitration eligibility, asked for $3.375 million while the Orioles offered $2.975 million.

While the Orioles maintain a policy of not negotiating single-season salary figures, they’ve often settled with players by adding an option year. That was the case a year ago with infielder Jorge Mateo. That avoids the arbitration hearing, which can be be difficult for both sides.

Shortstop Gunnar Henderson, in his first year of arbitration eligibility, agreed on an $8.5 million contract. That’s the largest amount for an Orioles player reaching arbitration for the first time.

Also reaching agreement were catcher Adley Rutschman ($7.25 million), starting pitchers Shane Baz ($3.5 million), Dean Kremer ($5.75 million), Trevor Rogers ($6.2 million) and Tyler Wells ($2.445 million), outfielder Taylor Ward ($12.175 million), and reliever Yennier Cano ($1.6 million).

First baseman Ryan Mountcastle settled for $6.787 million with a 2027 option for $7.5 million.

The news of Bradish and Akin’s figures was first reported by MLB.com. News of Henderson, Kremer, Rogers and Wells contracts were first reported by The Baltimore Banner. Mountcastle, Rutschman and Ward’s agreements were reported by FanSided. Baz’s agreement was reported by ESPN and Cano’s was reported by MASNSports.com

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