This offseason free agent class has been deep with bullpen arms. One of the biggest names, former Yankees closer Clay Holmes, has already signed a three-year, $38 million contract to defect to the New York Mets. But some big names still remain on the market, headed by All-Star lefty closer Tanner Scott, who divided the season between the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres, and whose 32.7 percent swing and miss rate put him in the 92nd percentile among all Major League pitchers.
The free agent relief class also includes a future Hall of Famer in Kenley Jansen, who in the first year of his two-year stint with the Boston Red Sox became one of only eight relievers ever to top the 400-save mark. His total of 447 places him fourth all time.
But hidden among the big names is one sleeper free agent who is reportedly being looked at by a variety of teams including the New York Yankees, who according to an analysis by Jeff Dahdah of Last Word on Sports will likely be looking to add depth to the middle of their bullpen.
By signing 34-year-old former St. Louis Cardinals reliever Andrew Kittredge, whose numbers compare well to some of the better-known relievers in baseball, the Yankees or any number of other teams — including the Boston Red Sox, who continue to have a pressing need for bullpen upgrades — would expand the capacity of their bullpens, and do it economically.
According to Dahdah, comparable relievers in last season's free agent class signed for contracts in the $8 million range, which should be roughly what Kittredege can expect, after earning $2.63 million from the Cardinals last season. SpoTrac projects Kittredge's market value at $5.5 million on a one-year contract.
Kittredge posted an All-Star season for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021, when he recorded a 1.88 ERA and struck out 77 in 71 2/3 innings.
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Kittredge's numbers from 2024 compare favorably to Jansen's in several key categories. Because Kittredge was not used as a closer, his lone save doesn't match up to Jansen's 27. But his Wins Above Replacement figure of 1.5 was slightly better than Jansen's 1.3, and his ERA of 2.8 was significantly lower than Jansen's 3.29.
Kittredge was also more durable, throwing 70 2/3 innings in 74 games. Jansen appeared in only 54, throwing 54 2/3 innings. His walk rate was better, too — seven percent to Jansen's 9.2.
As the market for so-called second-tier relievers starts to take shape, Kittredge can be expected to land with a contender such as the Yankees, though as Dahdah noted, the eight-year veteran is likely to entertain numerous suitors as he decides on his 2025 destination.
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