The Baltimore Orioles’ agreement to extend the contract of minor league catcher prospect Samuel Basallo was league-changing news for the Angels, every MLB fan, and the front office on Friday. The eight-year agreement casts question on the future of the Orioles’ standout catcher Adley Rutschman and shows that the team really believes in Basallo.
As a result, the Angels have a genuine chance to bolster their squad this offseason with a true star.
It seemed crazy two seasons ago that the Orioles would ever trade Adley Rutschman. From his first season on, he was perhaps the finest catcher in the major leagues, and his rise was a major factor in the Orioles’ success. His future in Baltimore is currently at best uncertain.
This year, the Angels had a dismal season behind home plate as well. Logan O’Hoppe had a promising career beginning, but the 2025 season has seen him suffer in almost every area of the game. He has had inconsistent stances throughout the season, which has hurt his defense. Additionally, while hitting a respectable number of home runs, his offensive performance has been dismal overall. He was worth -0.4 WAR in 2025 after recording 2.2 WAR the previous season (per FanGraphs). It has become evident that O’Hoppe’s progress has halted, endangering his chances of making it to the major leagues unless significant adjustments are done (such demoting him to the lower leagues).
Rutschman thus gives the Angels an opportunity to make a swift change this offseason. Even if his WAR has decreased from 5.4 to 4.3 to 3.4 to 1.7 thus far in 2025, he is still a catcher who is generally productive and a far superior defensive player than O’Hoppe.
Rutschman is the best trade option available if the Angels are serious about competing in the upcoming years. Adding one or two prospects of Caden Dana’s caliber to the deal makes it possible, if the Angels choose to trade O’Hoppe. It makes sense to acquire a veteran like Travis d’Arnaud or Taylor Ward to backup Basillo, since the Orioles probably want to contend in the upcoming years.
Rutschman might possibly be moved to a different position by the Orioles. It may be interesting to move the former No. 1 overall pick to the hot corner with great shortstop Gunnar Henderson, even if his bat might not be able to play at first base.
Perry Minasian, however, ought to be among the first clubs to call if the Orioles decide to put Rutschman on the market.
