Orioles Win Arbitration Case Against Keegan Akin

Left-hander Akin to earn $2.975M in 2026 after losing case

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Baltimore Orioles won their salary arbitration case against left-handed reliever Keegan Akin, setting his 2026 salary at $2.975 million. Akin had filed for $3.375 million, meaning he will earn $400,000 less than his requested amount in his final year of arbitration eligibility.

Why it matters

This was the first arbitration victory for a club this year after players won five of the first six cases. The Orioles split their two arbitration hearings, with right-hander Kyle Bradish securing a $3.55 million award earlier this month.

The details

Akin, who will turn 31 in April, has spent his entire six-season MLB career with Baltimore. Since debuting in 2020, he has appeared in 368 innings and compiled a 16-22 record with a 4.48 ERA and 11 career saves. He made the transition from a swingman role in 2020–21 to a full-time reliever in 2022, recording a 3.20 ERA over 81⅔ innings that season.

  • Akin's arbitration history includes a $825,000 salary in his first year of arbitration, followed by $1.475 million last season.
  • This year's hearing was his third through the process, and the left-hander had previously reached agreements with the team in his first two arbitration-eligible seasons.

The players

Keegan Akin

A 30-year-old left-handed reliever who has spent his entire six-season MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles.

Baltimore Orioles

A professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland and a member of the American League East division of Major League Baseball.

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What’s next

The Orioles' bullpen picture remains unsettled entering spring training, but Akin is a strong candidate for the Opening Day roster if healthy.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing negotiations between players and teams through the arbitration process, with the Orioles securing their first win of the year after players had previously won the majority of cases.