The Boston Red Sox needed an upgrade at catcher and made a blockbuster trade to acquire Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles.
The Red Sox gave up three top prospects, Carlos Narváez and a player to be named later, to land Rutschman. They really put their future at risk by giving up so much young talent, and some think Craig Breslow abandoned sustainability to go after a World Series this year.
Rutschman is more than just a rental and will be under club control next year, just like the rest of the Red Sox's star players. In fact, every offensive starter will be under contract beyond this season, and some for many years to come. Ceddanne Rafaela and Roman Anthony are already signed to extensions. Caleb Durbin is only in the second year of his deal and Franklin Arias figures to be the shortstop for years to come once he makes his debut.
“That (roster mix) sounds pretty (expletive) sustainable to me,” said Breslow, per The Boston Globe's Alex Speier. “It’s one thing to make a trade like this and say, ‘It’s this year or bust.’ It’s another to say, ‘(Catcher) is a need we had. If we didn’t solve that need right now, we’re going to have that need in the offseason or we’re going to have that need at the next trade deadline.’"
Ranger Suarez, Garrett Crochet, Willson Contreras, Garrett Whitlock, Rafaela, Anthony, Durbin, Curtis Mead, Wilyer Abreu, Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett are all under club control through at least 2028. Abreu and Rutschman are strong extension candidates, and the team already has its future shortstop in Triple-A.
Adding Rutschman was not a reckless move that only focuses on this season. He fills a huge need for the team, and joins a roster that should be able to compete for the next few years. The team got off to a slow start, but it has found its footing and confidence.