As the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox hash out a potential Adley Rutschman trade, another division rival got stronger behind the plate. Even worse, they stole a potential Red Sox backup target.
The Miami Marlins have traded catcher Liam Hicks to the Tampa Bay Rays, first reported by MLB insider Jeff Passan. The Sox, Rays and New York Yankees have all investigated the catching market this season and the latter two teams have seemingly got the jump on the Yankees
The Red Sox had been linked to Hicks by a few sources in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline. Passan even proposed that the Sox trade for both Hicks and shortstop Otto Lopez, who is reportedly outside of Boston's price range.
The Red Sox's trade for Rutschman is being held up by medical examinations. The backstop has been on the injured list since July 19 with wrist inflammation, which is complicating the deal between the division rivals. The Orioles expect Rutschman to return to action sometime in August, but the unpredictability of injuries is dangerous for Boston.
As Red Sox and Orioles discuss Adley Rutschman trade, Rays acquire Boston backup plan Liam Hicks
Baltimore is reportedly hunting pitching prospects at this deadline, which could be another hangup slowing the Rutschman deal. Boston has plenty of quality pitching prospects that it could deal without too much regret, but Rutschman's value could be up for debate — not only is he unavailable right away due to his injury, he also only has one more season of team control remaining after 2026. The 2027 campaign is in serious question due to impending collective bargaining agreement negotiations between MLB and the Players' Association, which could result in a lockout or strike next that might severely cut into the season, and therefore, Rutschman's final year before free agency.
Hicks has had better success than Rustchman at the plate this season, which made him an ideal target for the Sox's long-streaky offense. The 27-year-old is slashing .282/.363/.432 with nine doubles, a triple and 14 home runs over 101 games. His eye is one of his best weapons offensively and he's taken 40 walks compared to 39 strikeouts.
Hicks is a below-average defender, but Boston is mostly focused on an offensive upgrade behind the plate. Carlos Narváez has severely regressed from last season (.187/.260/.275 in 62 games) and Connor Wong doesn't slug with any degree of consistency (.255/.346/.362 55 games). Rutschman is a more well-rounded upgrade than Hicks, with offensive potential and elite defense to go with it.
The Red Sox had better hope they can come to an agreement on a Rutschman deal, and soon. The Yankees are also scouring the catching market and Tyler Stephenson is one of very few remaining targets.
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