The Orioles had a request to the Yankees on the table for star catcher Adley Rutschman at the deadline: pitching prospect Elmer Rodríguez, catcher Austin Wells, outfield prospect Yostin Pena plus one of two young starters — either Will Warren or Ryan Weathers.
The Yankees, up against a deadline — it was trade deadline day anyway, but the Orioles set a deadline earlier in the day, likely since Rutschman was on the injured list — wound up passing. So Rutschman, the former No. 1 overall pick and three-time All-Star, went to the Red Sox for a similarly rich package.
The Orioles received bouquets all around for landing top pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson, plus young pitcher Kyson Witherspoon, young outfielders Enddy Azocar and Harold Rivas, and catcher Carlos Narváez for Rutschman and spare catcher Jake Rogers.
The consensus is that the Orioles did great. But before they pulled the trigger, they told the Yankees that whatever they offered or suggested (not what’s above) wasn’t good enough, and they needed to meet their price to beat the undisclosed team.
