New Adley Rutschman Trade Rumors Reveal Yankees Pursued Catcher Before Red Sox-Orioles Deal

The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees rivalry reportedly took center stage ahead of Monday's trade deadline, even in a deal that involved only one of them and the Baltimore Orioles.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported Monday that New York was "very much trying for Adley Rutschman" before the Orioles traded him to Boston. Sheman noted "Elmer Rodriguez was being discussed as a key to the trade."

Yet Baltimore moved the catcher to the Red Sox in exchange for Anthony Eyanson, Enddy Azocar, Kyson Witherspoon and Carlos Narvaez, per Jacob Calvin Meyer of the Baltimore Sun.

It was quite a hefty price the Red Sox paid, as Eyanson (No. 2), Witherspoon (No. 4) and Azocar (No. 5) were all in the top five in MLB.com's rankings of the team's prospects.

Pitting Boston in a bidding war against the hated Yankees of all teams is quite a way to get it to increase the price. If Baltimore was able to do that, it landed a handful of prospects who can help it make significant strides in the coming years even after losing its star catcher.

As for Rutschman, he hasn't played since July 18 because of wrist inflammation and has dealt with injury concerns this season.

However, he was also an All-Star this season and is slashing .251/.331/.433 with eight home runs and 47 RBI. His resume includes three All-Star selections and a Silver Slugger from the 2023 campaign when he finished in the top 10 in MVP voting as well.

Rutschman slashed .277/.374/.435 with 20 home runs and 80 RBI that season.

If the Red Sox get that version of the catcher down the stretch, it would be quite the boost for a team that is already playing incredible baseball. There was a time this season when Boston figured to be sellers by Monday's deadline, but it is 14-3 since the All-Star break and in wild-card position in the American League.

It is also just 2.5 games behind the Yankees for the top wild-card spot and now has a star catcher to help in the pursuit after New York was unable to trade for him.