Could Cubs Turn To Adley Rutschman To Upgrade Catching?

[Steve Drumwright]

 

There are grandiose and subtle ways to upgrade positions for a contending team.

For the Chicago Cubs, who get solid production from their catching tandem of Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, there could be a player who could increase that output that would be beneficial for a team already in postseason position.

One catcher out on the market, per ESPN's Jeff Passan, is Baltimore Orioles backstop Adley Rutschman. Once the darling of the Orioles' rebuild, Rutschman hasn't been the superstar they envisioned.

A switch-hitter, Rutschman has a career slash line of .254/.342/.414. He hit 20 and 19 homers in his second and third seasons in the majors, while drawing AL MVP votes in 2022, when he finished second in AL Rookie of the Year balloting, and 2023.

But injuries in each of the last two seasons have slowed his production. In 90 games last year, Rutschman slashed .220/.307/.366 with nine homers and 29 RBIs. He has followed that up with a .251/.331/.433 with eight homers and 47 RBIs in 67 games this year before hitting the injured list for the third time this season Monday, this one for inflammation in his left wrist. Still, he represented the Orioles in last week's All-Star Game.

That injury will keep him out until at least the weekend of the trade deadline, which is Aug. 3. The Orioles have struggled last year and this year and with Samuel Bassallo in the fold long term after signing an extension this year, making Rutschman not as valuable as he once was.

Still an elite defender, Rutschman is also under club control through the 2027 season, so the Orioles won't be looking to dump him for just anything, yet it wouldn't cost the Cubs an arm and a leg (maybe just an arm) to pry him away.

 

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[Tryptamine]

Why do people keep trying to upgrade catcher when they're already a top 10 team there?

The Cubs aren't keeping 3 catchers on the roster, are you booting Miguel Amaya and his 103 wRC+ to AAA? Actually, I think Amaya is out of options, so is he getting traded?

[Rcal10]

Stupid idea. 

[PeanutPunch33]

This would have been a good idea going into this past off-season, when Rutschman's value was at an all-time low and Amaya was coming off of a down year.  It's not happening now.  Cubs need to focus on pitching.

I also doubt the Orioles are selling, having won 7 of their last 8 games.  

[Outshined_One]

The Cubs also have done a really good job of developing catchers internally, and have a really promising guy in Owen Ayers who should be ready next season.

It's not even like there are long-term concerns at the position. They're fine.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

let's see if we can upgrade in cf and rf too