The Baltimore Orioles’ 2026 season has not gone according to plan. Baltimore is 34-39 overall and in fourth place in the American League East standings. Some people around the MLB world believe catcher Adley Rutschman could be moved before the MLB trade deadline. With catcher Samuel Basallo on the roster, the O’s could consider trading Rutschman to improve their pitching rotation. The New York Yankees and two other ball clubs should consider pursuing a trade for Rutschman.
Rutschman, 28, would provide a significant boost for any team. He is currently hitting .265/.343/.481 across 51 games played. He has also recorded eight home runs and 15 doubles.
Without further ado, here are the three teams that should trade for the Orioles star.
Yankees
The Yankees could use an offensive boost with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton both currently injured. New York will likely look to acquire a hitter or two before the trade deadline.
The Yankees have catching depth, but Rutschman would represent an upgrade. Austin Wells is currently injured and he has struggled while on the field. JC Escarra has also not swung the bat well.
While some teams are hesitant to trade within their division, the Yankees and Orioles may be willing to discuss a Rutschman trade if the deal makes sense for both sides.
Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians are currently competing with the Chicago White Sox for the lead in the American League Central standings. Cleveland made a surprising move earlier in the season, as the team acquired catcher Patrick Bailey from the San Francisco Giants. While Bailey is a star defensive backstop, his offensive woes have been undeniable this year.
Austin Hedges has swung the bat well in 2026 but he does not offer game-changing offensive ability. Rutschman would represent a significant upgrade from an offensive standpoint for Cleveland.
The Yankees have a number of intriguing prospects, but there are not many teams that develop pitching quite like the Guardians. If the Orioles end up making Rutschman available for trade, they should consider reaching out to the Guardians about a potential deal. Baltimore could possibly acquire future star pitchers in a trade.
Padres
The Padres have been one of the most interesting teams in MLB this year. Many of their offensive stars have struggled, and the lineup overall has been underwhelming. Yet, San Diego is still 37-33 and in the National League Wild Card conversation. While their chances of competing with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West division are slim, this Padres ball club could certainly still be a playoff team.
With that being said, they need an offensive upgrade or two. Catchers Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano are both currently injured. Meanwhile, Rodolfo Duran has struggled at the plate. Trading for a star backstop like Rutschman makes perfect sense for San Diego.
Final thoughts
So, will the Yankees, Guardians or Padres end up acquiring Rutschman before the 2026 MLB trade deadline? Rutschman is under contract through the 2027 campaign, so Baltimore does not have to move on from him this season. However, they could receive a tremendous trade return by moving him before the deadline.
If the O’s end up deciding to at least listen to trade offers, it would not be surprising if New York, Cleveland and San Diego all reached out. Adley Rutschman would be a realistic fit with all three ball clubs.
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