Adley Rutschman Trade Interest Likely to Shift Drastically After Injury News
The Baltimore Orioles earned a series sweep over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, but it's going to take a whole lot more to reverse one of the harshest seasons in recent history.
The team started the campaign with a two-year playoff streak and one of the most exciting groups of young position players in the sport. But injuries, regression and a depleted pitching staff have turned that promise into a historic disappointment.
"The Orioles are the most disappointing team I can remember since I've been following baseball," Jayson Stark wrote for The Athletic. "So talk about teams that could fire up this trade deadline. Suppose the Orioles were bold enough to dangle a young, centerpiece bat for a young, controllable top-of-the-rotation arm?"
With a 40-49 record as of Monday and sitting more than 11 games back in the American League East division after Sunday's sweep, the Orioles seem destined to trade away some players headed toward free agency. But Dayn Perry of CBS Sports made the case that they could also deal star catcher Adley Rutschman as the latest update on his oblique injury indicates he can return shortly after the All-Star break.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles walks to the dugout from the bullpen prior to a game against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on...
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles walks to the dugout from the bullpen prior to a game against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 17, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image) More
Sloter/Getty
"When it comes to big names dealt before July ends, this year's crop may not be a healthy one," Perry noted. "There's a resurgent Eugenio Suarez as one possibility, but it's far from certain that the (Arizona) Diamondbacks will sell. Ryan McMahon? Decline-phase Nolan Arenado? Again, it's not exactly inspiring stuff, and one could argue that Rutschman could be the biggest name on the market among hitters even after you consider his disappointing offensive numbers."
After a second-straight All-Star season last year, Rutschman has slashed just .227/.319/.691 this year amid his injury problems and the team's overall struggles. That could be a reason for the Orioles to hang onto him, as he has two more years of arbitration eligibility ahead and his potential value would grow with a bounce back.
But that future controllability is also a key factor in Rutschman's potential trade value now. And there's no telling what a rival team might be willing to give up if the Orioles really do make Rutschman the biggest name on the market at this year's deadline.
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