Every time a young star signs an extension, the trade machine fires up. That’s exactly what’s happening for the Baltimore Orioles right now. The ink is barely dry on Samuel Basallo’s long-term deal and already there’s a corner of the baseball internet wondering if Adley Rutschman has suddenly become “expendable.”
The logic goes something like this: the Orioles need pitching, they have two high-end catchers, and Rutschman’s offense has dipped from his early peak. Package Adley in a blockbuster, patch a few holes, and trust Basallo to grow into the role. On paper, it’s tidy. In reality, it’s the kind of shortcut that can get a team that’s trying to contend in serious trouble.