MLB insider doubles down on bold Orioles prediction that could easily crumble

Ken Rosenthal is sticking to his guns. The longtime MLB insider recently wrote a column for The Athletic (subscription required) in which he was focused on four teams who might be primed for success in 2026. The Baltimore Orioles were among those listed — which is a good thing — but in it, Rosenthal doubled down on the notion that he believes Adley Rutchsman will not be traded this offseason. Quite frankly, that's becoming harder and harder to believe.

Rosenthal makes the point, and it's a good one, that Rutschman's defensive acumen and Samuel Basallo's uncertainty behind the plate could force Baltimore to hang on to their former top pick. However, Rutschman represents the Orioles' best opportunity to upgrade their roster through a trade this offseason, and that may be too difficult to pass up.

Face it, O's fans, this team needs a lot of additions this coming winter if they hope to compete in 2026. Starting pitching should be atop Mike Elias' shopping list, but the bullpen needs a massive overhaul as well. It also wouldn't hurt to add a bat or two.

MLB insider doubles down on bold Orioles-Adley Rutschman prediction that could easily crumble

With a laundry list like that, and the likely full-court press put on by opposing general managers, it's going to be difficult for Elias and the Orioles front office to cling to Rutschman for little more than his glove and game-calling abilities. There are dozens of catchers every winter who receive minor-league contracts that could fill that type of void.

Furthermore, Baltimore seems to be committed to the idea of Coby Mayo at first base. While Mayo and Basallo could obviously both log time at first base while also moving in and out of the lineup as the team's DH, allowing the young backstop to keep improving behind the dish would probably be the wisest approach to his development.

Of course there's a path that would allow Rutschman to return to the Orioles in 2026, but the temptation to use him as trade bait in order to upgrade the roster heading into next season may be too great to resist. 

He's under control for two more seasons, so the O's could always look to trade him before next year's deadline or during the 2026-27 offseason. But with the likelihood of a lockout on the horizon, this winter may represent Baltimore's best chance to reap the benefits of trading their former franchise cornerstone.

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