5 teams already lining up for an Adley Rutschman trade this offseason

The Baltimore Orioles lit a fuse under the hot stove the moment they handed Samuel Basallo an eight-year, $67 million extension. On the surface, it looked like a smart move to lock up one of baseball’s brightest young catching prospects. But for fans paying closer attention, it felt like the first domino to fall in the eventual Adley Rutschman trade saga.

Rutschman, one of the best all-around catchers in baseball, is under club control through 2027. Every day that passes without an extension makes it harder to imagine him staying in Baltimore long-term, especially now that his presumed successor is locked in on a team-friendly deal. The Orioles can frame it as “depth” or “future-proofing,” but everyone sees the writing on the wall.

That leaves the league buzzing. In truth, about 70 percent of the league would consider him an upgrade, and that’s being conservative.

So while Orioles fans brace themselves for the possibility, rival GMs are already lining up scenarios. If Baltimore decides to move Rutschman this offseason, here are five teams that should be first in line with offers too big to ignore.

5 teams already lining up for an Adley Rutschman trade this offseason

Philadelphia Phillies

If there’s one team that should be first in line for Adley Rutschman, it’s the Phillies. The fit is almost too perfect to ignore. J.T. Realmuto has been the heart of Philadelphia’s lineup and a reliable backstop for years, but at 35 years old and heading into free agency after this season, the clock is ticking. The Phillies can’t afford a void at such a crucial position if they want to keep their championship window open.

Rutschman feels like the younger, switch-hitting version of Realmuto. Realmuto 2.0, just with fresher legs and a longer runway. Imagine slotting him into a lineup that still features Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber. Stars that are aging, but full of production. The Phillies remain firmly in contention mode, and adding a prime-age All-Star at catcher could be the jolt that pushes them over the top in October.

San Diego Padres

The Padres have been searching for a long-term answer at catcher, and while Freddy Fermin has been a welcome addition since arriving at the trade deadline, he’s more of a stopgap than a solution. Fermin brought instant stability to what had been a black hole behind the plate, but he still profiles best as a high-quality backup, not the everyday guy.

That’s where Rutschman comes in. Adding a two-way star of his caliber would not only elevate San Diego’s lineup, but also balance out a roster that already has the talent to contend in 2026 and beyond. Imagine Rutschman slotting in with Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, and Xander Bogaerts. A lineup that suddenly becomes one of the most dangerous in the National League again.

Kansas City Royals

Speaking of the Royals, they already played a hand in this story when they shipped Freddy Fermin to San Diego, leaving them with an aging Salvador Perez as their lone anchor behind the plate. Perez is still beloved in Kansas City and remains valuable with the bat, but at 35 and approaching the final year of his contract in 2026, his catching days are clearly numbered. He’s been shifting more often to DH with occasional appearances at first base — moves designed to preserve his legs for what is likely his final stretch in a Royals uniform.

That creates a perfect opportunity for Rutschman. Sliding him into the everyday catcher role would not only give Kansas City a foundational piece at a premium position, but it would also allow Perez to transition gracefully into more of a part-time role while still providing his trademark leadership and power. Royals fans could enjoy one last season of their franchise legend while watching Rutschman take the torch and run with it.

New York Mets

The Mets thought they had their catcher of the future in Francisco Alvarez, but the story hasn’t gone as planned. Between injuries and streaky production, Alvarez has yet to prove he can be the long-term answer. For a franchise that has been stuck in “win-now” mode for what feels like the past decade, that’s a problem. And it’s exactly the type of problem Steve Cohen doesn’t tolerate for long.

If Baltimore makes Rutschman available, you can bet the Mets will be one of the most aggressive suitors. This is an organization that has never been shy about throwing money or prospects at a roster hole, and catcher has quietly become one of their weaknesses. Plugging Rutschman into the heart of the Mets’ lineup instantly transforms the team from “talented but flawed” into a juggernaut built to actually cash in on all of Cohen’s spending.

And even if Rutschman ultimately hits free agency after 2027, does anyone really think Cohen would let him get away? The Mets’ owner has already shown he’ll do whatever it takes to keep stars in orange and blue, and locking down a switch-hitting, All-Star catcher in his prime would be right in his wheelhouse. For the Mets, Rutschman isn’t just an upgrade; he’s another franchise-altering piece they continue to chase each offseason.

Chicago Cubs

Don’t be surprised if the Cubs sneak into the Rutschman sweepstakes, especially if their 2025 season ends short of a World Series run. Chicago has been knocking on the door in recent seasons, but with the Brewers tightening their grip on the NL Central, the Cubs might need to take another big swing to finally break through. 

Yes, the Cubs have Moisés Ballesteros prime and ready to take the reins in the near future. And he looks every bit of a future everyday catcher. But when a generational talent like Rutschman becomes available, you don’t sit back and play the waiting game. Chicago has already shown a willingness to be aggressive in the offseason, and with another championship window cracked open, adding Rutschman could be the kind of needle-moving acquisition that tips the balance of power in the division.

The Cubs also have the prospect capital to make it happen. Their system is loaded with players on the verge of breaking into the majors — guys who might be blocked in Chicago but could start immediately for Baltimore. Someone like outfielder Kevin Alcántara could headline a deal, giving the Orioles a high-upside return while the Cubs land the franchise catcher to anchor their lineup for years.

At the end of the day, the Orioles may try to hang onto Adley Rutschman as long as possible, but baseball history tells us that stars in his position rarely stay put without a long-term deal. With Basallo already locked in and Baltimore’s history of being hesitant to open the checkbook, the writing feels clear: Rutschman’s future could soon lie elsewhere. And if he does hit the trade market this offseason, the bidding war will be fierce.

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