The Baltimore Orioles finished 75-87 in 2025, another disappointing season, and there are rumors that they could trade their star Adley Rutschman this offseason.
At 27 years old, the two-time All-Star, 2023 American League Silver Slugger, and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft has a ton of talent, but his time could be coming to an end in Baltimore.
Here’s why if the Philadelphia Phillies lose out on re-signing J.T. Realmuto, they should call Baltimore about an Adley Rutschman trade.
This is just a prediction, NOT a report!
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Adley Rutschman Traded to Philadelphia Phillies
J.T. Realmuto should be the Phillies target at catcher because of his last seven seasons in Philadelphia and the connection he’s formed with the entire pitching staff, but sometimes change is needed, especially if Realmuto chooses to leave, the Phillies need a backup plan.
The Baltimore Orioles have teased that they could be willing to part ways with Adley Rutschman. They recently signed 21 year old Samuel Basallo to an eight-year extension, with a club option for 2034, that shows he likely is their catcher of the future.
Adley Rutschman was limited to a career-low 90 games after landing on the injured list twice with oblique strains on both sides.
“Being injured is one of the worst things. More than anything, you just want to be out on the field able to contribute, be around the guys, help the team,” Rutschman said. “I think that’s definitely a priority going into the offseason for me. And we have great people around to help do that.”
Rutschman has long been regarded as one of the best offensive catchers in baseball when healthy, and the Phillies’ catching depth is thin. Were they to trade for him, they’d not only plug a need behind the plate, but they’d acquire a switch-hitting, middle-of-the-order bat with upside.
That kind of offense at catcher is rare, and Rutschman’s presence might give Philly more lineup stability and protection for their other hitters.
Adley Rutschman Stats
Second — even though 2025 was a down year for him — Rutschman’s track record of strong seasons suggests there’s still plenty of value there. In 2025, he posted a .220 batting average with 9 home runs and 29 RBIs over 90 games, and finished with a .673 OPS.
While those numbers obviously fall well short of his peak, they also reflect a season interrupted by injuries — not a complete collapse. Acquiring him at a discount could be a low-risk, high-upside move for a team like Philadelphia hoping to rework its roster for contention.
Third, when healthy and at his best, Rutschman has demonstrated the kind of offensive production no other catcher in the Phillies’ system can match. His best full season came in 2023, when he hit .277 with 20 home runs, drove in 80 runs, scored 84 runs, and walked 92 times in 154 games. That season earned him a Silver Slugger Award and recognition as one of the top offensive catchers in the league.
His ability to draw walks, hit for power, and get on base consistently would give Philly a legitimate offensive upgrade at catcher compared to their internal options.
Finally, bringing in Rutschman could also offer long-term value and flexibility. He still has several years of team control, which gives Philadelphia time to build around him or use him as a trade chip down the line. Moreover, his switch-hitting profile adds lineup versatility, and his status as a former top prospect and former Silver Slugger gives him upside that could pay off if he gets healthy and finds his form again.