Samuel Basallo hype shouldn’t overshadow Adley Rutschman’s importance
In the immediate aftermath of Samuel Basallo’s contract extension with the Baltimore Orioles, the expectation was that the team was going to look to trade Adley Rutschman this offseason.
The logic behind the idea is that Basallo is the Orioles’ long-term answer at catcher, and after a couple of seasons defined by injury and offensive regression, Baltimore could look to move their once face of the franchise.
Teams almost certainly will be lining up to speak with Mike Elias about a potential trade for Rutschman this offseason, but the Orioles may currently be forecasting their plan for the 2026 season with Basallo’s current playing time. Plans that would involve both Basallo and Rutschman behind the dish.
Orioles would be making a colossal mistake moving Adley Rutschman
Through Basallo’s first 13 games at the Major League level, he has spent nine games at catcher, three as the team’s designated hitter, and one at first base. As Basallo was making his ascent through the Orioles’ system, there was some question as to whether catcher would be where he would remain once he reached the Major League level.
If the early playing time is any indicator, it seems that catcher is indeed where he will spend most of his time, but the Orioles will be cautious with the approach, sprinkling in some time at first and DH.
With that in mind, it seems that there is a clear path toward Basallo and Rutschman being on the Orioles’ roster in 2026. First and foremost, if the plan is for the Orioles to contend in 2026, counting on Basallo to be an immediate answer as the team’s full-time catcher may be misguided. It’s a risk that the Orioles shouldn’t feel forced to make, especially considering that Rutschman is under contract for two more seasons.
The fact remains that the Orioles would be a better team in 2026 with a healthy Rutschman returning to form and an ascending Basallo. With each able to play first base, that would also allow for some creativity when it comes to constructing starting lineups next season.
If next season were to be Rutschman’s final season before reaching free agency, an offseason trade would feel like a certainty. But with that not being the case, the Orioles would be wise to hold onto the 27-year-old catcher for at least one more season.
