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Gunnar Henderson has a new $8.5 million contract, the largest salary for an Orioles player in his first year of arbitration eligibility.
Now, he’d like a fresh start.
Henderson strained his right intercostal muscle on Feb. 27 after making a leaping backhand catch of Bo Bichette’s line drive in the first inning. He grounded out in his only at-bat and came out of the game in the top of the second.
Henderson was held back in camp in 2024 due to soreness in his left oblique, but he had no issues making the Opening Day roster, appeared in 159 games, was selected to the All-Star team and finished fourth in the American League’s Most Valuable Player voting. However, he didn’t appear in his first game last season until April 4 and experienced a decline in most of his numbers.
Among the biggest drop-offs were his home runs, from 37 to 17, and in RBIs, from 92 to 68. His slugging percentage fell from .529 to .438 and OPS from .893 to .787.
The overall body of work was fine, considering what happened to his body in spring training and during the season, but it wasn’t up to his standards.
Henderson was a call-in guest last night on the “Orioles Hot Stove Show” on WBAL Radio and said he had a shoulder impingement “pretty much for three-quarters of the year.”
“I’m sure that didn’t help, either,” he said.
“I could never get to the spot that I wanted to get to with my swing, but no excuse. Just had to play through it and felt like I still with all those circumstances put up a decent year. Looking forward to being healthy this year and getting back to my normal self.”
The shoulder issue was kept quiet, buried among the litany of Orioles injuries that led to a franchise-record 70 players used.
“I just wasn’t able to hold the plane and my body was adjusting to it, not feeling great, so that didn’t really set up me in the right spot to leverage the ball like I normally do,” Henderson said. “So getting over that and ready to roll this season.”
Yesterday’s contract agreement kept Henderson on a sweet offseason roll. He was chosen to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, and he recently got married.
“We had a great time,” he said. “Everything turned out really well.”
Adley Rutschman and Colton Cowser were in the wedding party. Other teammates in attendance included Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, Ryan Mountcastle and Heston Kjerstad. Former teammate Joey Ortiz also was there.
Pete Alonso didn’t make the cut. He’s a newcomer to the club and one of the highest paid in franchise history at $155 million over five years.
“I was pumped up,” Henderson said. “Pete’s a great dude. I met him for the first time at the All-Star Game in ’24. I was super pumped up to see the news.
The aggressiveness of the front office also delivered closer Ryan Helsley, outfielder Taylor Ward, starters Shane Baz and Zach Eflin, and reliever Andrew Kittredge.
“I love it,” Henderson said. “Obviously I know, speaking for a lot of the guys, that their No. 1 goal is to win championships and I’m glad the front office has proven that they’re wanting to do that, as well.”
New manager Craig Albernaz called Henderson shortly after his hiring and they’ve exchanged text messages.
“He seems like a really awesome guy, seems for the players, for the boys,” Henderson said. “It seems like he’s gonna be a great fit with all the kinds of guys we’ve got on the team, and I’m super pumped to meet him in person in the spring.”
Henderson was among nine arbitration-eligible Orioles to reach agreement on a contract before last night’s 8 p.m. deadline.
Kyle Bradish filed at $3.55 million and the Orioles countered at $2.875 million. Keegan Akin filed at $3.375 million and the Orioles countered at $2.975 million.
MLB.com first reported the figures.
The sides can continue negotiating until the scheduled hearing dates. The Orioles only deviate from the file-and-trial approach if an option is attached to the proposal.
