Mike Shildt may be out as Padres manager, but he’s not out of Major League Baseball. After stepping down following San Diego’s early postseason exit in the NL Wild Card round against the Cubs, Shildt has resurfaced in a new role - this time with the Baltimore Orioles, taking on a front-office position with a focus on roster construction.
That move might seem like a footnote at first glance, but it could have ripple effects that reach back to San Diego - and specifically to the Padres' ongoing search for stability behind the plate.
Let’s unpack why this matters.
First, Shildt’s new position confirms he’s not stepping away from the game. At 57, he’s still very much in the mix at the MLB level, just wearing a different hat. More importantly for the Padres, his presence in Baltimore could open a door - or at least crack a window - to a potential trade conversation involving one of the most intriguing names in the catching market: Adley Rutschman.
Now, let’s be clear. The Padres already made a move to shore up their catching situation at the 2025 trade deadline, acquiring Freddy Fermin.
And to his credit, Fermin held his own down the stretch as the primary backstop. But given the struggles of the Elias Díaz-Martín Maldonado tandem - who were, frankly, liabilities at the plate - it wouldn’t be a stretch to say the Padres could still use a more complete solution behind the dish.
Enter Rutschman.
The former No. 1 overall pick is coming off the worst offensive season of his career, posting a .673 OPS in his fourth big league campaign. That’s a steep drop for a player once viewed as a cornerstone of Baltimore’s rebuild. Meanwhile, the Orioles may have already found their catcher of the future in Samuel Basallo, who debuted in 2025 and quickly earned an eight-year, $67 million extension - after just four games.
That kind of long-term commitment signals a shift in Baltimore’s plans. And with Rutschman under team control through 2026, the timing might be right for the Orioles to start listening to offers. They wouldn’t be selling low on a washed-up veteran - they’d be fielding calls on a 27-year-old with elite defensive tools and a track record of offensive production that suggests a bounce-back is well within reach.
For A.J. Preller and the Padres, that’s a window worth exploring. Even with Fermin in the mix, a Rutschman addition would give San Diego a high-upside starter and allow them to manage workloads more effectively - potentially slotting Fermin in as a capable backup who catches once every few games.
Shildt’s move to Baltimore doesn’t guarantee anything. But it does create a connection between two clubs that could be in a position to help each other.
The Orioles have a surplus at catcher and a rising star they’ve already committed to. The Padres have a need, a front office known for bold moves, and a former manager now embedded in the very organization that might have the answer.
This is the kind of under-the-radar development that can quietly shape an offseason. Keep an eye on it.