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Padres predicted to land Orioles' 2X All-Star in latest 'hot take' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Baltimore Orioles have once again started poorly and the trade discussions have started around Adley Rutschman. The Orioles star is under team control till 2028 and has started reasonably well in 2026, hitting .268 in 142 plate appearances.
Recently, Justin Verlander's brother and MLB analyst Ben Verlander provided a hot take on Rutschman's future beyond the trade deadline. He believes the Padres could trade for the Orioles catcher.
"I think the Padres trade for Adley Rutschman at the deadline. Hot take. Just putting it out there so that when it happens I have proof," Verlander wrote on X.
To clarify his intentions, he mentioned in a separate tweet that this post doesn't suggest the Orioles are going to be sellers at this trade deadline.
MORE:Orioles predicted to trade 2X MLB All-Star to Pirates in recent mock
Probable logic behind wild Orioles-Padres trade idea
The idea feels absurd at first. After being drafted first overall, Rutschman has emerged as a two-time All-Star and has proven to be baseball's finest switch-hitting backstop.
However, Verlander's logic lies in the Padres' offensive woes. The NL West team could use an upgrade behind the plate with Luis Campusano and Freddy Fermin sharing duties in 2026. Fermin has been really poor, hitting below .150 and while Campusano is averaging decently (.280+), the power game is just not there.
Adding Rutschman as a catcher, the Padres could really improve offensively. The Orioles also have options, even if they traded him, with highly touted backstop Samuel Bassalo waiting in line.
Assuming the Orioles even entertain trade ideas for Rutschman, landing such a high-caliber player will require the Padres to part with a premium prospect or at least a major-league-ready pitcher.
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