Adley Rutschman’s brutal Red Sox start could spell trouble after blockbuster trade with Orioles originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
This past trade deadline, the Boston Red Sox promised they were going to make a splash, and make a splash they did, trading a massive package for Baltimore Orioles three-time All-Star and Silver Slugger Adley Rutschman. Rutschman was a huge upgrade for the Sox behind the dish, and was supposed to be the star to help get them to October baseball.
However, it seems that so far this trade isn’t working out like it’s supposed to be, as Rutschman has hit a bit of an immediate cold streak.
Rustchman was having an All-Star year
David Butler II-Imagn Images
Coming into his return, Rustchman was slashing .251/.331/.433/.764 with 19 doubles, eight home runs, and 47 RBI in 67 games for the Baltimore Orioles this season. He also earned his third All-Star selection thanks to it, as he was having a much better year than he did in 2025.
While he’s been injury-prone this season, he was hitting well, and his cannon of an arm was still working from behind the plate. Though, it’s clear his Orioles self has not translated into his Red Sox self.
Rutschman’s Sox debut has been painful
David Dermer - Imagn Images
Since his return, Rutschman has been going through a pretty painful cold streak. Through his five games back with Boston, he’s gone 1-17, gotten zero RBI, and struck out nine times.
He’s now slashing .239/.327/.409/.736, and still has 19 doubles, eight home runs, and 47 RBI in 72 games.
How can Boston help him?
Kevin Sousa - Imagn Images
Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet for Rustchman’s problem. Boston will probably have to let him ride through this, and hope he can find his swing again.
If he could have a day or two in a row off, he could possibly meet with Gradum Gswing, the people who turned Caleb Durbin from one of the worst hitters in baseball into one of Boston’s best sluggers. This seems unlikely though, as Boston’s schedule still has some heavy hitters left.
Hopefully, Rutschman finds his swing soon, and helps Boston with a deep push into October baseball.
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