Wed Aug 06 01:50:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Baltimore Orioles were active in the MLB trade market, dealing infielder Ramón Urías to the Houston Astros and right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge to the Chicago Cubs. In return for Kittredge, the Orioles received 17-year-old Dominican shortstop prospect Wilfri De La Cruz, who recently signed with the Cubs for $2.3 million. The trades of Urías and Kittredge, who were both under team control next season, signal a shift towards younger talent and potentially less experienced arms in the bullpen due to injuries and previous trades.
**News Article:**
**Orioles Trade Urías and Kittredge in Late-Night Deals, Bolster Prospect Pool**
**BALTIMORE, MD –** The Baltimore Orioles continued a flurry of trades late Wednesday night, sending infielder Ramón Urías to the Houston Astros and right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge to the Chicago Cubs, The Baltimore Banner has learned. The moves come ahead of Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline, with more transactions potentially on the horizon.
While the departure of both Urías and Kittredge, who were both under team control for next season, raises eyebrows, the Orioles have acquired promising young talent in return. Specifically, for Kittredge, the Orioles obtained 17-year-old Dominican shortstop prospect Wilfri De La Cruz from the Cubs. De La Cruz, who signed for $2.3 million and is ranked as Chicago’s 20th-ranked prospect by Baseball America, is currently playing in the Dominican Summer League and boasts a .442 on-base percentage.
The Kittredge trade, first reported by the New York Post, leaves a void in the Orioles bullpen. Kittredge, 35, posted a 3.45 ERA in 31 1/3 innings this season and has a $9 million club option in his contract for 2026. While his performance was generally steady aside from one outlier outing, the move potentially signals a shift towards relying on less experienced arms in the bullpen. With Félix Bautista on the injured list and trades having already been made for Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto, the Orioles bullpen may face some challenges for the remainder of the 2025 season.
“He’s been really good,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said of Kittredge after Wednesday’s game. “As [general manager] Mike [Elias] signed him in the winter, this was probably what we were expecting.”
De La Cruz’s signing bonus from the Cubs matches the largest international signing bonus Baltimore has ever given and emphasizes the O’s commitment to scouting and developing international talent.
The Orioles have now traded five players ahead of Thursday’s deadline. With General Manager Mike Elias at the helm, expect the Orioles to continue evaluating opportunities to improve the team both now and for the future.
First Piper 