Despite the lack of game action, there was still plenty to talk about in Baltimore. Specifically, a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan about the availability of Adley Rutschman had Birdland split. Passan updated his “Top 2026 MLB trade deadline candidates” article, which included Rutschman as the 15th-most valuable player that could possibly be available over the next few weeks.
To be clear, Passan put the odds of Rutschman actually being dealt at just 30% and added that “the Orioles aren’t exactly looking to trade Rutschman.” That would seem to mean that if the Orioles determine themselves to be contenders now or in 2027, then he isn’t going anywhere. The part that has some folks a little upset is the additional line in the reporting that says “…but they are certainly listening on the 2019 No. 1 pick.”
Rutschman is a fan favorite, an all-star, and the embodiment of the team’s return to relevancy after the Mike Elias-led rebuild. Most do not want to see him go. But time marches on, and the reality is that no matter what happens, Rutschman is unlikely to be an Oriole beyond 2027 anyway. His heir at the catcher position, Samuel Basallo, is several years younger and already signed long term, and the O’s probably don’t want to pay Rutschman for his post-age-30 seasons anyway. So, it could make sense to trade him for something while they can.
For me, moving Rutschman at some point is reasonable, but not for the 2026 Orioles. Not if they want to win. The team just isn’t constructed well to absorb that type of change. Basallo is an exciting hitter, but the defense needs work. The alternatives of Sam Huff and Chadwick Tromp are capable behind the plate, but a disaster with the stick. If the front office can maneuver during the offseason and find another backstop to pair with Basallo so that they could flip Rutschman for other major league-ready talent, then maybe. But not right now.
Orioles shouldn’t trade Adley Rutschman | Baltimore Baseball
Rich Dubroff largely has the same perspective as I shared above. Rutschman is too important to this iteration to move. Doing so likely comes with other moves geared towards 2027 rather than 2026. Maybe that is the smart thing to do, but it would turn off quite a few fans.
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This day in O’s history
1996 – Eddie Murray makes his return to Baltimore. Traded by Cleveland back to the Orioles the day prior, Murray is in the lineup against his former teammates. He gets a standing ovation from the Camden Yards crowd and hits his 493rd career home run, but the O’s lose 9-5.