The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly listening to offers for catcher Adley Rutschman ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline, according to ESPN. While not actively seeking to trade their former No. 1 overall pick, the Orioles are gauging the market for Rutschman, who has a 30 percent chance of being moved before the deadline.
Rutschman is under contract through the 2027 season, and a long-term extension with Baltimore appears unlikely. A potential complicating factor in any trade is that several teams in need of a catcher, including the Red Sox, Rangers, Phillies, Reds, Pirates, Twins, Padres, and Yankees, are in the American League East division, the same division as the Orioles.
This situation arises as Rutschman recently landed on the injured list for the third time this season due to a left wrist injury sustained during a game against Boston. Manager Craig Albernaz noted that Rutschman had been managing the injury prior to being placed on the IL, attributing it to overuse. Samuel Basallo, a rookie catcher, is expected to step in for Baltimore.
Despite these challenges, Rutschman is in the midst of a strong season, producing offensively in line with his career statistics. He has a .251 batting average with a .764 OPS, recording 62 hits, 47 RBIs, and eight home runs in 67 games. His performance this year has been noted for increased consistency, complementing his already strong defensive metrics, which have all fallen above average.
"He’s constantly trying to chase his potential, and that’s how you sustain longevity in this game, if you don’t get satisfied with where you’re at, you’re continually trying to find ways to get better and keep pushing," Albernaz said of Rutschman's approach.