'No F--king Way,' MLB Exec Reflects on Adley Rutschman Trade to Red Sox From Orioles at Deadline

At least one MLB executive was stunned the Baltimore Orioles traded catcher Adley Rutschman to their American League East rivals in the Boston Red Sox.

"If you had told me four years ago that the Orioles would be trading Adley Rutschman to the Red Sox, I'd have been like: No f—ing way," the executive said, per Jayson Stark of The Athletic. 

Stark noted Rutschman was the first No. 1 overall draft pick in league history to be traded within his own division by the team that initially selected him. That it came in his age-28 season—and one in which he was an All-Star—added another element of surprise.

He is also under team control through next season and is more than just a rental.

Still, Boston paid a high price that included highly regarded prospects Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon and Enddy Azocar. Stark pointed out the "consensus" from those executives he talked to was the Red Sox overpaid even if it was surprising to see the Orioles move on from such an impact catcher.

Yet Boston's entire outlook for the 2026 campaign has changed thanks to a red-hot stretch that has seen it go 24-3 in the last 27 games.

It went from presumed seller to buyer and made quite the splash at the deadline to add a much-needed impact bat at catcher.

It was a surprising move but also one that could pay dividends in October.