Adley Rutschman, still in street clothes, trekked through the Orioles clubhouse around 3:30 p.m., making his way toward his locker, where a throng of media members awaited.
He couldnβt avoid them. But he didnβt have much for them.
βI just got here,β Rutschman acknowledged honestly. βA lot of moving parts going on right now, so Iβm sure weβll figure out more stuff.β
The catcher was asked what he thought of the Oriolesβ new addition of Trevor Rogers, how he anticipated working with the 26-year-old lefty.
βI gotta look, man,β he admitted through a polite smile. βI just got here.β
Thatβs a little how everyone felt Tuesday evening β players, fans, media members alike. Hours of feverishly Googling stats and refreshing apps culminated in a rush of news shortly before Major League Baseballβs trade deadline Tuesday at 6 p.m.
A deluge of moves poured down social media feeds minutes before Baltimoreβs game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Orioles traded for an outfielder, then another. Reporters hovered over their laptops while the national anthem was sung. Then the players, mostly oblivious to the drama unfolding on transaction sheets around the country, trotted onto the field and played nine innings of baseball.
As the roster moves became official, Baltimoreβs bats thumped Toronto starter Chris Bassitt, tagging him for five earned runs. Oβs righty Corbin Burnes, meanwhile, chugged through 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball.
When the dust had settled, the Orioles had five new players and a 6-2 win over the Blue Jays. And, for good measure, some cash considerations.
Burnes acknowledged after the game he still hadnβt had time to intake all the moves.
βIβll take a minute here in a little bit, sit here and see what we got,β he said. βI know Mikeβs pretty busy today.β
The moving parts Rutschman mentioned are still in motion. Rogers, Eloy JimΓ©nez, Gregory Soto, Austin Slater and Livan Soto havenβt even dropped their bags in the clubhouse yet. Neither has top prospect Jackson Holliday, who is expected to be recalled to replace the recently traded Connor Norby.
Contrary to popular belief, major league players rarely have much foresight into their teamβs decisions. And during the grind of a 162-game season, they donβt have much time to process them.
The players are not oblivious. Theyβre just trying to catch up like the rest of us.
βWe see it,β said center fielder Cedric Mullins before the game. βIt is part of the business. Weβre not thinking in terms of how it affects the day-in and day-out of going out there trying to win games. Itβs just a matter of buckling down with who we have and going out there and competing.β
The Orioles werenβt the only team awaiting reinforcements. The Blue Jays, ravaged by the trades of Justin Turner, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Kevin Kiermaier and Trevor Richards, limped into Tuesdayβs game at less than full strength. Burnes barely knew what he was facing, having received Torontoβs lineup just 40 minutes before game time.
It didnβt stop him from racking up seven strikeouts despite struggling with command at times. Burnes, who still outranks all other Orioles trade acquisitions made this year, walked three and hit two batters but did not allow an extra-base hit.
RamΓ³n UrΓas and Anthony Santander fueled Baltimoreβs offense. The pair combined to collect four hits, smack two homers and drive in four runs.
Leadoff hitter Colton Cowser delivered two hits from the top of the lineup hours after two of his good friends β Norby and Kyle Stowers β were dealt to Miami.
βOn one hand Iβm upset to see them go, but on the other hand, Iβm really excited for them to get an opportunity,β Cowser said. βTheyβre gonna be great big leaguers, and theyβre really good people and really good ballplayers.β
The rumors, the reports and the deals are done. Now the players have to do their part.
βOur jobβs to be here, play ball,β Rutschman said prior to the game. βEveryoneβs got their pieceβ of the puzzle.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that newly acquired starting pitcher Trevor Rogers did not watch Tuesday nightβs game from the Orioles dugout.







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