Let’s take a closer look at Baltimore Orioles star Gunnar Henderson. His record-setting arbitration contract, a rough 2024 season filled with injuries, and the stubborn optimism around him and the team are all in the spotlight here.
From hidden health issues to bold roster moves, Henderson’s story sheds light on how performance and perseverance mix with front-office belief in today’s baseball world.
Gunnar Henderson’s Historic Arbitration Deal
Before the season even started, Gunnar Henderson made Orioles history. The 23-year-old infielder signed an $8.5 million contract, the biggest salary ever for a Baltimore player in his first year of arbitration.
That deal put Henderson in rare company. The Orioles clearly saw his breakout 2023 as the real deal, not a fluke.
Even with a statistical dip, the team doubled down on his talent and youth, picking upside over caution.
Early Injuries Set the Tone
Henderson’s 2024 season got off to a rocky start. He showed up to spring training already nursing left oblique soreness, then strained his right intercostal on February 27.
He still made the Opening Day roster, but those physical issues stuck around a lot longer than most fans realized.
A Statistical Step Back in 2024
After an electric 2023—159 games, an All-Star nod, and a fourth-place AL MVP finish—expectations soared. But 2024? Well, it just didn’t measure up.
His power numbers took a hit. Home runs dropped from 37 to 17, and RBIs fell from 92 to 68.
Advanced stats told the same story. Slugging percentage slid from .529 to .438, and OPS slipped from .893 to .787.
The Injury Fans Didn’t Know About
The real surprise came after the season ended. Henderson admitted he’d played through a shoulder impingement for nearly three-quarters of the year.
He said it messed with his swing and sapped his power at the plate. The Orioles kept it quiet, partly because the team was already dealing with a crazy number of injuries.
Baltimore used a franchise-record 70 players that season, so Henderson’s silence made a bit more sense in that context.
Perspective, Resilience, and Looking Ahead
Henderson doesn’t call 2024 a lost year. He described it as a “decent year” all things considered and believes a healthy offseason will get him back on track.
He also praised the Orioles’ front office for being aggressive and smart during the offseason.
Roster Upgrades Fuel Optimism
Baltimore made some big additions, showing they’re serious about winning now. Henderson pointed out a few standouts:
A New Voice in the Clubhouse
The Orioles will have a new leader in the dugout. Manager Craig Albernaz has already reached out to Henderson.
He’s setting a positive tone early. Henderson thinks Albernaz’s style meshes well with the clubhouse culture.
Henderson is one of nine arbitration-eligible Orioles who reached a deal before the deadline. Others, like Kyle Bradish and Keegan Akin, are still negotiating.
Henderson stands out as a symbol of both stability and potential. If he can finally stay healthy, the Orioles might just see their biggest bet pay off—maybe even sooner than anyone expects.
Here is the source article for this story: Henderson says shoulder impingement contributed to offensive decline, praises front office for moves
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