Cincinnati, OH – April 11, 2025 – In a move that has stunned baseball insiders and thrilled fans in the Queen City, Cincinnati Reds General Manager Nick Krall has confirmed the team has acquired All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles in a blockbuster deal late Thursday night.
The trade, which had been rumored in closed circles for days, became official following a late-night medical clearance. In exchange, the Reds are sending a massive haul of talent to Baltimore, including top catching prospect Alfredo Sanchez, starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft, and a pair of high-upside minor leaguers.
“We believe Adley is a franchise-altering player,” Krall said in a surprise press conference at Great American Ball Park. “His leadership behind the plate, elite bat, and ability to control a game made him the perfect piece to build around. This is a bold move — and we’re ready to compete.”
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Rutschman, 27, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and has quickly become one of the league’s premier catchers. He’s coming off a season in which he hit .288 with 27 home runs and 89 RBIs while leading Baltimore to the ALCS.
The Reds, currently hovering near the top of the NL Central, believe Rutschman’s presence behind the plate could be the missing piece in their postseason push — and possibly their return to October dominance.
Baltimore fans are already reacting with a mix of shock and heartbreak, while Reds fans are flooding social media with “Welcome to Cincy” messages.
With this deal, Cincinnati just sent a loud and clear message: the rebuild is over — it’s go time.
