Orioles analyst projects $140,000,000 contract extension for All-Star catcher, mirroring Will Smith's deal with Dodgers

Baltimore Orioles catch Adley Rutschman is expected to sign a $150 million contract extension, analyst Paul Mancano believes.

During the Dec. 27 edition of The Baltimore Banner Show, Mancano explored a potential contract extension for Adley Rutschman. Rutschman is under contract for the 2025 season but is arbitration-eligible for the following two seasons.

Mancano’s argument hinged on Rutschman being a valuable player despite sliding numbers. In particular, Mancano pointed out that last season’s second half showed a concerning trend as Rutschman’s production dipped.

Still, Mancano believes Will Smith’s ten-year, $140 million contract extension could be a good ballpark for Rutschman. Mancano stated:

“It’s difficult to project contract extensions. But the one that the Dodgers signed with catcher Will Smith a year ago, I think is kind of an interesting baseline. Because, Will Smith signed a ten-year, $140 million contract extension that takes him through the 2033 season.”

In Mancano’s estimation, that contract should provide the Orioles with the necessary reference to keep Rutschman, and his bat, in the lineup long-term. Mancano elaborated on his thoughts:

“When you’re talking about a ten-year contract extension for Adley, that would take him through the age-37 season… but the interesting thing with that contract is, Will Smith’s, is that it also includes a lot of deferred money.”

Mancano concluded:

“So, perhaps that’s a way that Orioles ownership could go, as well.”

Ultimately, the imperative is on the Orioles to keep Rutschman, in particular his bat, even if it means moving him to another position.

Samuel Basallo could facilitate Rutschman position switch by Orioles

Mancano brought up Orioles’ top catching prospect Samuel Basallo. According to Mancano, having Basallo on the depth chart allows Baltimore to manage Rutschman’s playing time behind the plate.

Moreover, having Basallo provides Baltimore with a potential catching tandem, with the possibility of moving Rutschman to first base as he gets older.

Basallo is currently ranked as the second prospect in the Baltimore system behind corner infielder Coby Mayo, according to MLB.com.

The catching prospect has quickly climbed the minors, earning a promotion to AAA Norfolk last season. Between AA and AAA, Basallo hit 19 dingers with 65 RBIs in 127 games. He hit .278 to go with 10 stolen bases.

It seems like it’s only a matter of time before Basallo earns a call-up, showing what potential he’s got at the Major League level.

Having Basallo is a powerful reason for the Orioles to extend Rutschman now, keeping his bat in the lineup, as Rutschman can buy enough time for Baltimore to develop the 20-year-old Basallo into an everyday Big League catcher.

Ultimately, Baltimore could do well in extending Rutschman now, as doing so would lock him into a cheaper deal as opposed to waiting till he hits unrestricted free agency in 2028.