Trade speculation around two-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman has heated up following the Baltimore Orioles‘ recent eight-year, $67 million contract extension with their top catching prospect, 21-year-old Samuel Basallo, just days after his <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB debut. As Rutschman remains unsigned to a long-term deal and will become a free agent after the 2027 season, several teams could pursue him this offseason.
Although Baltimore may use both Rutschman and Basallo in their lineup, possibly with one shifting to first base, Rutschman’s status as a 27-year-old catcher with significant upside keeps him in demand despite a down year offensively. Here are six clubs that could actively seek to acquire Rutschman in a trade this winter.
Philadelphia Phillies Might Look to Rejuvenate Their Catching Position
The Phillies face uncertainty with veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season. Realmuto, now 35, experienced offensive struggles early in the year before improving after the All-Star break. While Realmuto remains one of the best defensive catchers, Philadelphia needs to develop younger talent as their core ages. Rutschman, turning 28 next season, could benefit from Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long’s guidance to regain the offensive production that earned him All-Star recognition twice.
New York Mets Could Replace Francisco Alvarez After Setbacks
Initially seen as the franchise catcher, Francisco Alvarez has endured two injury-filled and underwhelming seasons with the Mets. His inconsistent performance and demotion this year have raised questions about his future. Although Alvarez is still young at 23, the Mets may choose to pursue Rutschman if they want a more dependable presence behind the plate moving forward.
San Diego Padres Likely to Upgrade a Struggling Catching Unit
San Diego’s catchers have ranked near the bottom of MLB in offensive metrics, with a .605 OPS placing them 27th and only 10 home runs tied for 20th in the league. General manager A.J. Preller is known for aggressive moves, making Rutschman a natural target to enhance the position. Despite a down year, Rutschman’s performance surpasses what the Padres are currently getting. His acquisition would provide a long-term solution, with Freddy Fermin serving as a possible backup.
San Francisco Giants Aim to Accelerate Their Rebuild
With Buster Posey now president of baseball operations, the Giants have demonstrated a willingness to make significant roster upgrades, including signing Willy Adames and trading for Rafael Devers. Adding a proven catcher like Rutschman would align with Posey’s vision to return San Francisco to elite status, potentially speeding up their timeline for contention.
Texas Rangers Seek a Cornerstone Catcher After Recent Declines
Jonah Heim’s performance has slipped since his 2023 All-Star appearance, and Kyle Higashioka remains a serviceable but unremarkable backup. In need of a top catcher, the Rangers could target Rutschman, who is earning $5.5 million this season and remains under team control through 2027 via arbitration eligibility. Acquiring Rutschman could help Texas reclaim its form after falling short of last year’s championship success.
Kansas City Royals May Transition Catching Duties as Pérez Ages
Salvador Perez, a nine-time All-Star, approaches the twilight of his career at 36 years old. To preserve Perez’s health, the Royals might move him to first base or designated hitter roles, inserting Rutschman as their primary catcher. Although Kansas City has three promising catching prospects, bringing in Rutschman could provide the leverage to trade prospects such as Blake Mitchell, Carter Jensen, and Ramon Ramirez for offensive reinforcements.
The possibility of Rutschman being traded or moving outside Baltimore highlights the changing landscape for elite catchers in MLB. Teams facing transitions at catcher or searching for a reliable cornerstone behind the plate will closely monitor his availability. How these pursuits develop could significantly shift the competitive balance in the coming seasons, with a player of Rutschman’s caliber potentially altering multiple franchises’ futures.