MLB Trade Rumors: Top 3 Landing Spots for Adley Rutschman

With the ascension of top prospect Samuel Basallo to the starting catcher's job for the Baltimore Orioles (with a record-breaking contract, to boot), the end appears to be in sight for Adley Rutschman as an Oriole. One insider says he'll be gone in a trade by spring training.

With that, it's only fair to ask, what are the best, and most likely landing spots for Rutschman? Here are the top 3 potential trade suitors for the O's former top prospect and two-time All-Star, with the help of Christopher Hennessy of Yahoo Sports.

Cincinnati Reds

A team that is on the cusp of being a playoff contender, and one that could use another impact bat and All-Star potential everyday player. Tyler Stephenson, the longtime Reds catcher, has shown glimpses of being a solid backstop, but injuries have derailed his progress, and he has just one year of team control remaining. Adding Rutschman would be a big boost to the lineup and the clubhouse.

The Orioles need starting pitching, and that's where the Reds could really be a match. Hennessy suggests Reds' No. 7 prospect Chase Petty going back to Baltimore, but we'd suspect that the O's would push for Cinci's 2nd overall prospect, Rhett Lowder, who is just about ready to come back from an injury-riddled season, and showed what he could last year in six starts, with a 1.17 ERA.

San Diego Padres

The Padres are loaded up in a lot of spots on their roster, but catcher is not one of them. Their top prospect is catcher Ethan Salas, but he's only 19 and is still at least a couple of years away. The Friars are ready to challenge for the World Series NOW, and adding Rutschman, with two more years of team control, would be a huge boon for the team as they try to keep up with the Dodgers in the NL West.

Philadelphia Phillies

JT Realmuto will be turning 35 next season, and he is a free agent this winter. It's time for the Phillies to invest in a young, more long-term option behind the plate, and with two more years of arbitration, they can keep Rutschman's cost relatively low, allowing them the extra spending room to re-sign Kyle Schwarber, who will also be a free agent this offseason, and will command a massive contract.

They also have two elite starting pitching prospects that would entice the Orioles, in Andrew Painter and Gage Wood.