The Baltimore Orioles have been one of Major League Baseball’s biggest disappointments this season and a significant reset seems to be in order.
After making the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, the Orioles sit in last place in the American League East division with a losing record and virtually no hope of returning for a third consecutive berth.
The losing record can be blamed on any number of issues, but one of the most glaring has been a step back for star catcher Adley Rutschman.
After an All-Star campaign last year, Rutschman is slashing just .227/.310/.373 this season amid a series of injuries.
In the latest update, Rutschman was placed on the injured list for a second time this year after suffering an oblique strain.
And in his absence, top catching prospect Samuel Basallo has been shining, with a .300/.364/.400 slash line in his big-league debut so far.
Given Rutschman’s struggles, his entrance into arbitration eligibility and Basallo’s ascendance, MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds believes the Orioles are looking to trade away the injured star.
“I think the Orioles are looking at a move here,” Reynolds said in an “MLB Tonight” clip posted to X.
“Adley’s going to end up in a spot where they’re going to get a lot of prospects back for him and they’re going to make a move.”
The Orioles signaled their commitment to Basallo by signing him to an eight-year, $67 million extension, per MLB.com.
Given his All-Star history and continued arbitration eligibility, Rutschman could be intriguing as a trade addition for teams that are more needy in the catcher department.
However, the Orioles might not be in any particular rush to move him, particularly as Basallo can take over at first base or as a designated hitter in the meantime.
But after a major setback for the organization this year, the Orioles will have to take a hard look at the roster and determine a new path for the future.
Ultimately, that might not include Rutschman.