The MLB trade deadline came and went on Monday, August 3 at 6:00 p.m. ET, and C Adley Rutschman is one of the top trade pieces that will have a new home — and it's in the same division.
The Boston Red Sox reportedly landed Rutschman — the 2019 No. 1 overall pick — in a trade with the AL East rival Baltimore Orioles, sending five prospects back to Baltimore. The trade helps stabilize the catcher position for the Red Sox as they chase the AL East pennant while elevating the Orioles’ farm system with an impressive haul of talent.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at the Adley Rutschman trade, grade the haul for each team, and how it affects the Red Sox as they gear up for a playoff push in the American League, where they are still behind the Yankees and Rays.
Predict the AL East Winner on PrizePicks now!
{{mlb_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Adley Rutschman Traded to Red Sox: Full Trade Package
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Red Sox acquired Rutschman and C Jake Rogers in exchange for top pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson, C Carlos Narvaez, OF prospect Enddy Azocar, and right-handed pitching prospect Kyson Witherspoon.
Rutschman is an elite defender behind the dish and is in the midst of a bounce-back campaign offensively after a rough 2025.
The Orioles no longer needed Rutschman in their long-term plans after signing C Samuel Basallo to a long-term contract extension prior to 2026.
Rutschman has had three different stints on the injured list throughout the 2026 season and is currently sidelined due to wrist inflammation. However, he is expected to return in August.
The former No. 1 pick has produced a .251/.331/.433 slash line to go along with 8 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 30 runs in 67 games this season.
Adley Rutschman Trade Grades: Who Won The Trade?
Red Sox Trade Grade: B
Red Sox Receive:
- C Adley Rutschman
- C Jake Rogers
- cash considerations
The Red Sox are one of the hottest teams in the MLB, producing a 14-3 record since the league returned from the All-Star break. Boston certainly has a chance to capture the AL East division crown, but should be able to land a Wild Card berth at the very least.
They currently sit behind the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees in picks to win the division, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
In terms of Rutschman, the Red Sox receive elite defensive acumen behind the plate while getting a lot more pop than they did with Connor Wong. According to Baseball Savant, Rutschman has recorded a .274 expected batting average (xBA) this season, which ranks in the 82nd percentile.
Rutschman has also displayed terrific plate discipline in 2026, recording just a 14.1% strikeout rate (87th percentile). In fact, the former No. 1 pick has only struck out 40 times throughout the 2026 campaign.
It’s all going to come down to whether Rutschman can stay healthy coming down the stretch this season. If Rutschman can stay on the field, the Red Sox lineup receives a huge bump with this move.
Pick the Red Sox to win the AL East on PrizePicks now!
Orioles Trade Grade: A-
Orioles Receive:
- C Carlos Narváez
- RHP Anthony Eyanson (Red Sox No. 2 prospect, No. 49 overall)
- RHP Kyson Witherspoon (Red Sox No. 4)
- OF Enddy Azocar (Red Sox No. 5)
- player to be named later
The Orioles are hovering around the .500 mark, but have decided to be sellers at the trade deadline. After trading OF Taylor Ward earlier in the day, it wasn’t a huge surprise to see Baltimore part ways with Rutschman.
Baltimore ended up acquiring quite a haul for Rutschman, who likely didn’t factor into the franchise’s long-term plans. According to MLB Pipeline, the Orioles landed three of the Red Sox’s top five prospects in the deal in Eyanson (No. 2), Witherspoon (No. 4), and Azocar (No. 5).
Eyanson is also the No. 49 prospect in all of baseball and the seventh-best right-handed pitcher. He was selected in the third round of the 2025 MLB Draft and has already reached the Double-A level. Eyanson is 4-0 with a 1.32 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP, and 94 strikeouts in 68.1 innings in AA and A ball this season.
Witherspoon was selected with the No. 15 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and does boast a five-pitch arsenal, including a fastball that tops out at 99 mph. The 21-year-old has tallied a 3-5 record, a 4.78 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP, and 78 strikeouts in 75.1 innings for Low-A Salem in 2026.
Finally, Azocar was signed as a free agent from Venezuela in 2024 and has enjoyed success in the minors thus far. He likely projects as a right fielder who has a decent arm and solid power at the plate. In 2026, Azocar is hitting .286 with 18 home runs, 63 RBIs, 76 runs, and 11 stolen bases, while splitting time between Low-A Salem and High-A Greenville.
With Basallo already being viewed as the future backstop in Baltimore, shipping out Rutschman made a ton of sense. On top of that, the Orioles received three sensational prospects that could help shape their future, so it’s hard not to like the return.
{{mlb_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Will Rutschman Help the Red Sox Win the AL East?
The Red Sox currently sit in third place in the American League East, but are just five games behind the recently struggling first-place Tampa Bay Rays. With Rutschman now entrenched behind home plate, the Red Sox certainly could be contenders in the American League.
Below, see the AL East favorites and payouts for each team to win the division on PrizePicks Team Picks — now available in 36 states! Payouts represent a multiplier on your entry fee; a 2x pays out $200 on a $100 entry. Payouts are live as of writing but are subject to change.
Make MLB Futures Picks on PrizePicks
Adley Rutschman is headed to the Red Sox after being traded by the Orioles ahead of Monday’s trade deadline. Now, Boston has stabilized the catcher position and aims to make a playoff push this season, putting themselves in position to push for the AL East pennant.
Now the rosters for the postseason push are settled. After the MLB trade deadline, make your MLB futures picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right on teams to make the playoffs, win the World Series, and more!
Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on game winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 36 states.
Stay locked in on Playbook for daily MLB predictions, picks, and news every day all the way through the 2026 MLB season.
Team Picks and Culture Picks are event contracts offered by Performance Predictions II, LLC d/b/a PrizePicks Predict, a CFTC-registered FCM and NFA Member. All event contract customers must be U.S. residents and 18+. Some event contracts may not be available in every state.Event contract trading carries significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. No guarantee against loss is offered. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results.Void where prohibited by law. Restrictions apply. For full terms of service see prizepicks.com/predict-regulatory. Team and Culture Pick Early Payouts subject to market liquidity. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, or a recommendation to trade any commodity interest.
