Orioles finally have Kyle Bradish arbitration answer which could impact rotation search

While most of the attention when it comes to the Baltimore Orioles is being pointed at their efforts in free agency to add an impact starter, they still have some offseason paperwork to do. While the Orioles were able to settle with most of their arbitration eligible players, they were not able to reach an agreement ahead of time with Kyle Bradish with the team filing at $3.55 million and Bradish coming in with a $2.875 million figure.

Arbitration can be a tricky process and the last thing the Orioles probably want to do is completely alienate one of their best pitchers in Bradish when they already have rotation depth problems. Each sides amounts are relatively close to each other, but that doesn't necessarily mean that that is what each side was arguing for before filing for arbitration and letting a third party figure it out. One hopes that no bridges were burned, because Baltimore is going to have to do go through this process two more times with Bradish if he sticks around.

Word got out that Bradish and the Orioles had their arbitration hearing on Monday and the decision is now in and official. Bradish did indeed win his arbitration case against the Orioles and will be paid $3.55 million in 2026.

Kyle Bradish arbitration decision gives Orioles much-needed payroll clarity during quest for starting pitching

With Bradish getting more than the Orioles wanted to pay, it will be curious if it changes how the front office approaches their pursuit of rotation help. The difference was honestly pretty small in the grand scheme of things, but we all know how Baltimore can be sometimes with the penny-pinching.

However, this was honestly the correct result here in Bradish's first arbitration year. Yes, he does have an injury history that is less than ideal, but he is more than deserving of a touch over three and a half million dollars. When he ascends the arbitration ladder and is set to get more and more money, then maybe his Tommy John surgery coming up in the hearing room will make more of a difference.

One hopes it doesn't come to that. Everyone is in a better place if players and teams are on the same page salary-wise and there is only a risk that you alienate a player if you continually lowball them (at least in their minds). That dynamic worked to the Orioles advantage with the Corbin Burnes trade, but hopefully Baltimore doesn't end up in the position that Milwaukee was in back then.