​Why Red Sox are trading for Orioles three-time All-Star Adley Rutschman originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Boston Red Sox are making a major splash ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline, swinging a blockbuster deal with the AL East rival Baltimore Orioles.As ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports, the Red Sox are acquiring Adley Rutschman, the three-time All-Star, in a major deal for Boston.So, why did the Red Sox make this trade for Rutschman, who is currently on the injured list? Well, there are a few reasons for that, the simplest of which is that the Red Sox needed a catcher upgrade this summer, and got arguably the best one.Why Red Sox are acquiring Adley Rutschman from Orioles”BREAKING: The Boston Red Sox are acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles, sources tell ESPN,” Passan reports.This trade has been rumored to be in the works all day long for the Red Sox, and Passan’s report means that the Red Sox have, as expected, signed off on the deal amid the question surrounding Rutschman’s medicals.He is currently on the injured list with left wrist inflammation, and while it was a concern, the Red Sox are okay with the risk and made a major deal with their division rivals.Rutschman is a three-time All-Star who will instantly replace the current catcher options in Boston once he’s back from the injured list.MORE: Red Sox expected to trade Jarren Duran during offseason, not MLB trade deadlineConnor Wong has a .255 batting average with a  .708 OPS this season, while Carlos Narvaez has a .187 average and a .535 OPS this season.In comparison, Rutschman has a .251 batting average and a .764 OPS on the year for the Orioles. He’s missed some time, but he should be back this season; otherwise, the Red Sox would not have agreed to this trade.Getting Rutschman is a major upgrade behind the plate, and it gives Boston someone for not just the rest of 2026, but all of 2027 as well.Why did the Red Sox trade for Rutschman? He’s a major upgrade at a position of need, and one that should spark even more excitement about the Red Sox this year as they come roaring back from a rough start to the season.More MLB news:Cubs land Kevin Gausman in blockbuster trade with Blue JaysWhat did Mets get for Freddy Peralta? Rays send three prospects for 4.99 ERA SPTigers receive lousy grade for Tarik Skubal trade to Dodgers from ESPNHow Cubs inadvertently helped Dodgers trade for Tarik SkubalPhillies predicted to trade for a starting pitcher and reliever by MLB deadline