The Baltimore Orioles are weighing whether to trade catcher Adley Rutschman this offseason, and it’s one of the more intriguing decisions they’ll face after a disappointing 2025 season.
Rutschman’s still just 27 and has two years left before hitting free agency. He’s the former number one overall pick, but here’s the thing – the Orioles already handed prospect Samuel Basallo a long-term deal despite the kid having less than a month of MLB experience.
That’s where it gets interesting.
Dayn Perry of CBS Sports thinks Baltimore should pump the brakes on any Rutschman trade talks. His reasoning makes sense from a baseball perspective.
“I’d lean toward keeping Rutschman at this point. The O’s are very much intending to return to contention this season after a disappointing 2025, and Rutschman helps that objective. On another level, Rutschman has been in a pattern of offensive decline ever since his rookie season. He’d have much more trade value coming off a reversal of that trend, so from that standpoint it’s worth giving him another year to re-establish some offensive value.”
Perry’s got a point about the timing. Rutschman’s trade value isn’t exactly at it’s peak right now.
He’s currently on the 10-day IL with a mild right oblique strain. In 85 games this season, he’s hitting .227 with nine home runs and 27 RBIs, plus a .310 on-base percentage. Those aren’t the numbers that create bidding wars.
But here’s what makes this situation unique – the Orioles could actually run both catchers for a year. When one’s behind the plate, the other could slide to first base or DH. It’s not the most elegant solution, but it gives Baltimore flexibility while Basallo gets his feet wet.
The way Perry sees it, Basallo could benefit from an “apprentice” year working alongside Rutschman. Makes sense, especially since scouts have noted some defensive limitations in Basallo’s game.
That said, Baltimore clearly views Basallo as their long-term answer behind the plate. They wouldn’t have locked him up long-term otherwise. That’s exactly why Rutschman’s name keeps coming up in trade discussions.
If the Orioles do decide to move him, they’d better target starting pitching in return. That’s been their most glaring need, and Rutschman – even with his recent struggles – should bring back quality arms.
All things considered, Perry’s strategy has merit. Give Rutschman another year to rebuild his value, then potentially shop him going into his walk year. It’s a calculated risk, but one that could pay off if he bounces back offensively in 2026.
The market for catchers who can handle both sides of the ball is always there. The question is whether Baltimore wants to maximize that return or keep their championship window as wide as possible for next season.
