Orioles deadline fire sale may have just cost them Adley Rutschman’s top suitor

The Baltimore Orioles, as expected, were one of the most active teams at last month's trade deadline. The O's sold off a litany of players, almost all of whom were unlikely to have any sort of long-term future in Baltimore.

The Orioles found numerous trade partners for the likes of Seranthony Dominguez (Toronto Blue Jays), Ramon Urías (Houston Astros), as well as Cedric Mullins and Gregory Soto (New York Mets).

Baltimore's biggest trade, however, was on deadline day when the Orioles shipped both designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn and outfielder Ramon Laureano to the San Diego Padres in exchange for multiple prospects. While the O's certainly added to their coffers at the deadline, that deal with the Friars may have effectively taken them out of the running for a potential Adley Rutschman trade this offseason.

Orioles deadline deal with the Padres may have just cost them Adley Rutschman’s top suitor

The Rutschman trade rumors have been growing ever since the Orioles landed two top catching prospects during the 2025 MLB Draft. Those rumors only got louder last week after the O's locked up Rutschman's heir apparent, Samuel Basallo, to an eight-year contract extension.

Earlier this week, one prominent MLB insider suggested that the O's backstop will be the most sought-after name available in a trade this offseason. Though Rutschman is still under team control for two more seasons, this may be his final season in Charm City.

But after San Diego effectively unloaded their entire farm system at the deadline, it's safe to assume that AJ Preller and the Padres' front office won't have the type of top-tier prospects that Baltimore will be seeking if they do indeed wish to trade Rutschman this offseason.

Though the Padres did solidify the catching position with the addition of Freddy Fermin at the deadline, San Diego's top prospect Ethan Salas has endured a trying season in the minor leagues, and one has to wonder if he'll ever reach the sky-high potential so many talent evaluators have thrust upon him.

Though the Padres may no longer be a viable option, there are still numerous organizations who'd be interested in Rutschman is the Orioles make him available this winter.

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