The Baltimore Orioles have a good problem on their hands - but it’s a problem nonetheless. They’ve got two highly talented catchers, both with the potential to be cornerstone players, and only so many innings to go around.
On one side, there’s Adley Rutschman, the former No. 1 overall pick and face of the franchise not so long ago. On the other, there’s Samuel Basallo, the rising star who just inked an eight-year extension before he even had time to unpack his bags in the big leagues.
The Orioles’ plan for 2026? Split the workload between the two, with each logging time behind the plate and at designated hitter.
It’s an ambitious approach - and one that comes with real risk. Using your backup catcher as your primary DH is a tightrope act.
One wrong step - say, an in-game injury to your starting catcher - and suddenly you’re making roster moves on the fly or asking someone to suit up behind the plate who hasn’t done it in years. Carrying a third catcher would ease that tension, but it would also likely cost them their only true utility infielder, Jeremiah Jackson.
That’s the kind of roster math that keeps front offices up at night.
At the heart of this balancing act is Rutschman. Once the Orioles’ crown jewel, he’s now a question mark.
After a promising start to his MLB career, injuries and inconsistency have taken their toll. Last season was particularly rough: a .220 batting average, .307 OBP, and .366 slugging - numbers that don’t scream “franchise cornerstone.”
And while Basallo’s extension signals the team’s long-term faith in their new catcher, it also casts a shadow over Rutschman’s future.
Rutschman’s fall out of MLB.com's top-10 catcher rankings only adds to the pressure. The Orioles front office, led by Mike Elias, is now walking a fine line.
If Rutschman bounces back in 2026, they’ll look like they gave up too soon. If he struggles again, they’ll be proven right for not committing to him - but at what cost?
There was speculation that Baltimore might look to move Rutschman this offseason, especially after Basallo’s deal was finalized. But trading a player coming off a career-worst season is no easy task.
Sure, Rutschman still has two years of team control, and his pedigree and position make him intriguing. But his value isn’t what it once was, and the Orioles weren’t likely to get a significant return.
Fast forward to midseason, and the picture could get even murkier. If Rutschman turns things around, the Orioles might be tempted to flip him at the trade deadline to address other needs.
But by then, he’ll be entering his walk year in 2027, and the clock will be ticking. They’ll have missed the window to extend him at a discount, and any trade value will be diminished by his looming free agency.
On the flip side, if Rutschman continues to struggle, Elias and company will look justified in holding off on an extension. But that’s hardly a win. A down year from Rutschman likely means the team as a whole is underperforming - and missing the playoffs again would be a much bigger blemish on the front office’s record than any contract misfire.
It’s a tough spot. If Rutschman excels, the Orioles look like they misread the situation.
If he falters, the team could suffer in the standings. The best-case scenario?
Rutschman finds his swing early, plays well enough to rebuild his value, and becomes a trade chip that helps Baltimore shore up another area of the roster for a postseason push. But that’s a best-case scenario for a reason - it requires everything to break just right.
In the end, Rutschman’s 2026 campaign won’t just shape his future. It could define the trajectory of the Orioles’ season - and the legacy of the decision-makers in the front office.