The most drastic move of Mike Elias’ tenure at the helm of the Orioles has arrived. Baltimore is trading catcher Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox, parting ways with Elias’ first draft pick and the face of the club’s rebuild.
A source with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the trade, which ESPN reported first. As the Boston Globe first reported, the Orioles are also sending catcher Jake Rogers to the Red Sox.
The Orioles are receiving a haul in return. Sources told The Banner that they are receiving four players from the Red Sox. One of them is catcher Carlos Narváez, who is hitting .187 this year and is expected to slot into Baltimore’s active roster.
The centerpiece of the deal is 21-year-old right-hander Anthony Eyanson, who ranks as Boston’s second-best prospect, according to Baseball America. He’s also ranked No. 33 in the country, according to the publication.
Rounding out the group is right-hander Kyson Witherspoon (Boston’s third-ranked prospect) and outfielder Enddy Azocar (Boston’s fifth-best prospect). The Orioles will also receive a player to be named later.
Rutschman’s arrival in the majors in 2022 coincided with an upswing for the Orioles, and they went on to win 192 games in 2023 and 2024. But Baltimore has failed to build on that. The Orioles haven’t won a playoff game in a decade, and with Rutschman a year away from free agency, Elias sent him to the Red Sox.
He is on the injured list with left wrist inflammation, but nearing a return. Elias said Friday that the catcher could begin rehab games in early August.
Rutschman, 28, is a three-time All-Star having a resurgent season on offense and defense. He has dealt with three injured list stints, however; in addition to his wrist inflammation, Rutschman has faced time off the field due to ankle inflammation and a concussion.
The backstop is hitting .251 with a .764 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.
The Orioles weren’t necessarily shopping Rutschman, but with a need for catchers across the league, the price grew considerably. Baltimore opted to part with a franchise cornerstone rather than heading into 2027 without a contract for beyond that season.
At the All-Star Game, Rutschman was coy on the possibility of a contract extension.
“I love the staff, I love the guys, players, the front office down to all the guys,” Rutschman said. “I’ve had a phenomenal experience so far with Baltimore. It’s been great. For me, you never know what’s going to happen, but I love Baltimore.”
Baltimore decided to move him. Rutschman will leave a large hole in the clubhouse. He is not an outspoken leader, but given his place in Orioles history as a landmark prospect who graduated into the majors and became a three-time All-Star, eyes look to Rutschman as an example.
When he made his debut at Camden Yards in 2022, he paused to look around the ballpark, taking in his surroundings. It was thought that Camden Yards would be his home for most of his career. His time there ended after parts of five seasons.
Rutschman burst onto the scene at the plate. He posted an .806 and .809 OPS in 2022 and 2023, respectively. His Home Run Derby showcase in 2023 at Seattle’s All-Star Game was a signature moment. The switch hitter slugged bombs from both sides of the plate.
Rutschman regressed from there, though. He finished with a .709 OPS in 2024 and a .673 OPS in 2025. This year, despite three injured list stints, he has shown improvement at the plate.
Without Rutschman, the Orioles will lean heavily on catcher Samuel Basallo, whom they signed to an extension last year. Basallo is also on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, but he has begun baseball activities.
The Orioles were running a tandem of Rogers and Yohel Pozo behind the plate, but with Rogers heading to the Red Sox, Narváez figures to step in.
Eyanson is the prize of the group, although the other two prospects are highly rated, as well. Drafted in the third round in 2025 out of LSU, Eyanson is pitching in Double-A, where he holds a 1.69 ERA. According to Baseball America, Eyanson boasts a swing-and-miss slider with a mid-90s fastball with natural sink.
Witherspoon, 21, was Boston’s first-rounder last year. He is pitching in High-A, where he has produced a 4.78 ERA in 17 starts. His fastball reaches the upper 90s and he has multiple off-speed pitches.
Azocar, 19, rounds out the deal. The outfield prospect has reached High-A this year, where he’s mashing. Azocar has an .885 OPS there. He can play all three outfield spots.
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