Report: Orioles make $8.5M deal with SS Gunnar Henderson, avoid arbitration

Field Level Media|published: Thu 8th January, 18:03 2026

Sep 18, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) turns a double play past New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) during the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

The Baltimore Orioles avoided arbitration by reaching agreement with star shortstop Gunnar Hendeson on an $8.5 million contract for the 2026 season, MLB.com reported on Thursday.

Henderson's deal, which was not confirmed by the club, is a franchise record for a player in his first year of arbitration eligibility, per the report.

The Orioles also have agreed to terms with outfielder Taylor Ward for $12.175 million, catcher Adley Rutschman ($7.25 million), first baseman Ryan Mountcastle ($6.7 million with a 2027 team option for $7.5 million), right-hander Dean Kremer ($5.75 million) and right-hander Shane Baz ($3.5 million), according to MLB.com.

Baltimore picked Henderson in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft. The 24-year-old can become a free agent after the 2029 season.

Henderson batted .274 last season with 17 home runs and 68 RBIs in 154 games in 2025. He was picked for his first All-Star Game in 2024, when he batted a .281 with 37 homers, 92 RBIs, a .364 on-base percentage and an .893 slugging percentage -- all career highs -- and was fourth in the American League Most Valuable Player voting.

For his career, Henderson is batting .270 with 86 homers and 260 RBIs, a .347 on-base percentage and a .484 slugging percentage in 497 regular-season games.

The 2023 American League Rookie of the Year, Henderson was given the team's Most Valuable Oriole Award in 2023 and 2024.

Ward, 32, was traded from the Los Angeles Angels to the Orioles on Nov. 19, 2025 for right-handed starter Grayson Rodriguez.

Ward batted .228 with 36 homers and 103 RBIs for the Angels last season and had spent his eight-year MLB career with Los Angeles. He is a career .247 batter with 113 homers and 345 RBIs in 704 games.

Rutschman, who will be 28 on Feb. 6, is a two-time All-Star who batted .220 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 90 games. For his career, Rutschman is hitting .254 with 61 homers and 230 RBIs in 505 regular-season games.

Mountcastle, who turns 29 on Feb. 18, batted .250 last season with seven homers and 35 RBIs in 89 games. He is a career .263 batter with 98 homers and 363 RBIs.

Kremer, who turned 30 on Wednesday, was 11-10 last season with a 4.19 ERA, 45 walks and 142 strikeouts in 171 2/3 innings over 31 games (29 starts). The right-hander is a career 41-40 with a 4.26 ERA, 222 walks and 578 strikeouts in 41 regular-season games (40 starts).

Baz, 26, was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 19, 2025. The righty was 10-12 last season with a 4.87 ERA, 64 walks and 176 strikeouts in 166 1/3 innings over 31 games (all starts). For his career, Baz is 17-17 with a 4.25 ERA, 103 walks and 293 strikeouts in 54 games (all starts).

--Field Level Media

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