Mike Elias just shut down the offseason rumor Orioles fans were debating

Shortly after the MLB trade deadline, when the Baltimore Orioles gutted their roster of rental players, speculation suggested that the team would look to move Adley Rutschman during the offseason. With Samuel Basallo making his Major League debut and signing an 8-year extension all within the same month, it seemed to fuel the rumor that Rutschman would be on the move this winter. Orioles' President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias quickly squashed that idea while speaking to reporters on Monday.

Not only did Elias refute the rumor that the Orioles would shop their franchise cornerstone this offseason, he confirmed that Rutschman will enter the 2026 season as the team's frontline catcher.

"Yes. Adley is the guy. He will be our frontline catcher," Elias said. "Frustrating season for him coming off of a frustrating second half [in 2024]. He's aware of it, we're all aware of it, we're all working on it. There were injuries sprinkled in this year that I think were a factor in him kind of getting out of sync again."

Mike Elias just slammed the door shut on a big Orioles what-if with Adley Rutschman

There is some need to play the devil's advocate. If you're Elias and the Orioles, it makes very little sense to openly say they are shopping Rutschman to move him before the 2026 season. If he is available, teams likely will be looking to buy low, considering his struggles at the end of the 2024 season and injury-riddled 2025 season, so the Orioles will need to maintain leverage where they can. Especially when the Orioles, if they do shop Rutschman, would be selling him as one of the better catchers in baseball.

Elias' comments are also a reminder that if the Orioles plan on contending in 2026, it would make sense to ensure Rutschman is a key piece to their starting lineup. Even with Basallo on the roster, the Orioles shouldn't feel forced to move the face of their franchise. Between catcher, first base, and designated hitter, there are several ways in which both players can exist in the same lineup.

If Elias is to be taken at his word, and the Orioles won't be shopping Rutschman this offseason, it will increase the pressure on the front office to either back off their refusal to trade top prospects or do what many are hoping--spend consequential money in free agency. With the need they have for pitching, something will need to budge if the 2026 season is going to be different.

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