The Baltimore Orioles could very well choose to say goodbye to catcher Adley Rutschman.
If they want to give him to a division rival, anyway…
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are among several teams to check on the status of the three-time All-Star as they both look for upgrades at backstop, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.
New York hasn’t exactly thrived from behind the dish this season, watching Austin Wells and Ali Sanchez combine for a .175 batting average with eight home runs and 21 RBIs in 2026. Boston’s duo hasn’t been much better, with the organization receiving just five home runs, 26 RBIs and a combined .225 batting average from Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong.
Rutschman, on the other hand, has returned to form after watching his numbers dip in back-to-back seasons, as he is slashing .255/.331/.433 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs while hitting from both sides of the plate in 2026 — though he seemingly lost his “catcher of the future” tag to Samuel Basallo and looks like he’ll become a free agent in 2027.
It’s not unthinkable that we could see someone make a real play for the veteran, though two division rivals being among those interested is something of an obstacle.
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers’ availability a question mark after recent reports paint his club out to be a potential buyer. Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman is going to fetch something ludicrous if he does get traded, with his current organization asking for top prospects as the headliner for a perspective package to obtain his services. The Texas Rangers all but took themselves out of the running by acquiring former Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe on Wednesday.
It’s a race to see whether or not there is enough desperation to facilitate a move for a catcher, and if there is, who?