The Orioles have dealt All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman to the Red Sox just hours before the Major League Baseball trade deadline, a shocking move that sends a former face of the franchise to a division rival.
The trade sees Rutschman, 28, head to Boston where he'll help fill a significant catcher void for the Red Sox. Boston catchers have combined for an OPS of just .615 this season, ranking 25th in MLB. In contrast, Rutschman boasts a .764 OPS this season and a .756 mark for his career.
Rutschman is owed the balance of a $7.25 million salary for this season, and he'll again be arbitration-eligible for 2027, the final season before he's slated for free agency. The Orioles make the move despite being just 2 ½ games out of playoff position going into Monday's slate of games.
Rutschman's departure comes as a surprise given the Orioles' strong position in the division. However, the team has a rookie catcher, Samuel Basallo, ready to take over as the team's primary catcher moving forward. Basallo is on the IL with shoulder inflammation.
In related news, the Orioles have also traded starting pitcher Dean Kremer to the Twins and outfielder Taylor Ward to the Mariners. The moves suggest a significant rebuild is underway in Baltimore.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, have surged back into contention thanks to a franchise-record 21-4 record in July. They're now in a position to make a deep playoff run, and Rutschman's addition will undoubtedly help. The switch-hitting catcher is primed to fill the catcher void for the Red Sox once healthy.
Rutschman is presently on the injured list with an inflamed wrist, but he could soon begin a minor-league rehab assignment. This season, he's enjoying a solid bounce-back campaign coming off an injury-compromised 2025 in which he posted the worst offensive numbers of his career.
Source: CBS