O's may be open to moving Adley ... and plenty of teams are in need of catching

For weeks, the catching market has been an uninspiring one, with some of the biggest potential trade candidates seemingly unlikely to move.

That’s no longer the case.

According to sources, several clubs have engaged the Orioles about the availability of three-time All-Star Adley Rutschman, who will be arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter before becoming a free agent at the end of the 2027 campaign.

Five American League teams are believed to be looking for catching help -- the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, White Sox and Rangers -- creating a competitive market for any team with a backstop to move. The fact that three of those teams reside in the AL East with Baltimore could complicate matters -- or at least raise the price for the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays -- but the Orioles view the catching market as very seller-friendly, giving them an opportunity to use Rutschman to address other holes on the roster, namely controllable starting pitching.

“It sounds like he is available,” a National League executive said. “I think he and [Rockies All-Star catcher Hunter] Goodman are holding up that market.”

The Orioles signed Samuel Basallo to an eight-year, $67 million (plus an $18 million club option) extension last year, locking the 21-year-old up through at least 2033. If Rutschman was to be dealt, Basallo would become the full-time catcher in Baltimore, giving the Orioles the depth to make such a move.

Both Rutschman (left wrist inflammation) and Basallo (right shoulder inflammation) are currently on the injured list, though each is expected back sometime this month. Having designated both Chadwick Tromp and Sam Huff for assignment in the past week, the Orioles claimed Yohel Pozo off waivers from the Cardinals and acquired Jake Rogers in a small trade with the Tigers, giving them a pair of new catchers to use while Rutschman and Basallo are out. Should Rutschman be traded, one of them would move into a backup role behind Basallo once he returns.

The Orioles’ motivation to trade Rutschman -- the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 Draft -- is two-fold. First, Rutschman is slated to become a free agent after the 2027 season, and an extension has become seemingly unlikely. Second, the Orioles view him as one of their best trade chips at a time when they’re looking to add both starting and relief pitching as they try to chase down a Wild Card spot.

Baltimore’s farm system has taken some hits with the recent graduations of some top prospects to the Majors in the past few years, leaving the Orioles with fewer chips to use in trades. Trading from the big league roster -- particularly from an area of depth like catcher -- could be their best avenue to acquiring the pitching they’re seeking.

The Yankees have controllable starting pitching to move if they choose to do so, potentially building a deal for Rutschman around Ryan Weathers (two years of club control), Will Warren (four years) or Elmer Rodríguez (six years).

The White Sox are among the teams looking for catching help, and while sources say they have discussed Rutschman with the Orioles, there has been no traction with those discussions.

According to sources, the White Sox are also focused on adding pitching -- controllable arms in particular -- and with Baltimore’s asking price on Rutschman believed to be high, Chicago might not want to utilize its biggest trade chips to address the catcher position.

The Rays don’t have the same type of controllable pitching to trade as other clubs, though Tampa Bay’s farm system is the strongest of the group by far. If the Orioles are open to dealing Rutschman for a prospect-driven package, the Rays would be firmly in the mix.

Having already traded Connelly Early to the Nationals last week, the Red Sox don’t have many controllable arms to use unless the Orioles have interest in Brayan Bello, who has become a weapon for the Sox since moving to the bullpen. Boston could move a pitching prospect or two, but if Baltimore wants arms to use in this pennant race, the Red Sox seem like a long shot.

Shea Langeliers was considered to be one of the better catching options on the trade market, but the Athletics All-Star is out for the season with a knee injury. Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers was another name being floated around, but the Twins are in contention and plan to be a buyer this week.

Unless the Rockies find an offer that tempts them to trade Goodman, Rutschman would be the best catcher on the trade market. Others potentially available include Tyler Stephenson (Reds), Liam Hicks (Marlins), Jonah Heim (Athletics) and Iván Herrera (Cardinals), though none would have the same type of impact as Rutschman, especially given that he’s under control through next season.