Story by
Jeff Hawkins
Thu, July 16, 2026 at 2:17 AM UTC·2 min read
Is Orioles’ cornerstone Adley Rutschman on MLB trade block? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman could be on his way out
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Once hailed as a drafting guru, Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias has commanded an underachieving squad for a second straight season. Some MLB insiders believe Elias will retain his recent top picks
Others contend he could regret not selling high on Rutschman?
Playing on a $7.3 million deal in 2026, Rutschman will be arbitration-eligible in ’27. For a contending club seeking a spark at a premium position, the 28-year-old slugger is entering his prime years with a controllable contract. He will be a free agent in ’28
In late June, Elias attempted to deflect attention away from Rutschman
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“That’s not something that’s crossed this desk or the agenda,” he said. “I wish our commitment was greater than it is. We want him forever.”
Still, the Orioles’ front office failed to secure a long-term deal with the 2019 No. 1 overall draft pick
Or with Henderson, a ’19 second-round draft pick, who will be a free agent in ’29
Are those signals Elias is preparing to reshuffle the roster?
Orioles C Adley Rutschman could be moving out
Known for drafting college players, Elias has recently followed that philosophy, selecting Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and Colton Cowser. Since the league switched to a 20-round format in 2021, the Orioles have nabbed an average of eight college players per draft. In 2026, however, Elias picked only three and one Division I prospect, the fewest of his tenure
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Elias picked prep outfielder Eric Booth Jr. No. 7 overall. The 17-year-old was the second high school player Elias picked in the first round, joining Jackson Holliday in 2022
Rutschman remains a franchise cornerstone, but the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox reportedly may pursue the three-time All-Star. In 65 games this season, Rutschman was batting .254 with eight home runs and 47 RBI
After making the playoffs in 2023 and ’24, buoyed by one of the MLB’s deepest farm systems, the organization has slipped. Scheduled to open the post-All-Star break with a series at the Houston Astros on Friday, the Orioles (46-51) were 11.5 games behind the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays
Without a long-term deal, Rutschman may find himself on the trade block over the next three-plus weeks
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Could Henderson, a former AL rookie of the year, join his draft-class compatriot?
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