Red Sox on verge of Adley Rutschman blockbuster as final trade decision looms originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Boston Red Sox have an opportunity to complete one of the biggest and most surprising trades of the MLB deadline. Boston and the Baltimore Orioles have arranged a deal involving star catcher Adley Rutschman, according to ESPNs Buster Olney. The prospects involved have reportedly been identified, and the medical information has been exchanged.There is only one problem: The Red Sox have not given their final approval. Olney reported that Boston must still say yay or nay, making this a potential blockbuster rather than a completed trade. If the Red Sox approve the deal, they would land a three-time All-Star catcher from one of their biggest American League East rivals.The identity of the prospects heading to Baltimore was not immediately reported.Adley Rutschman trade is in Red Soxs handsThe Orioles have apparently completed much of the groundwork necessary to send Rutschman to Boston.The Red Sox and Os have a deal arranged for Adley Rutschman. Prospects, medicals set. Red Sox just need to say yay or nay. Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 3, 2026That makes the Red Soxs hesitation especially intriguing. Medical evaluations are always important in a major trade, but they carry additional weight in this case because Rutschman is currently on the 10-day injured list with left wrist inflammation.Rutschman was placed on the injured list July 20. Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said Friday that the catcher was expected to resume hitting Saturday and could begin a rehabilitation assignment during the following week.The 28-year-old has also dealt with left ankle inflammation and a concussion this season. Those physical concerns could explain why Boston has yet to provide its final answer.When healthy, Rutschman remains one of the most accomplished catchers in baseball.He is batting .251 with eight home runs, 47 RBIs and a .764 OPS through 67 games this season. Those numbers are not at the level of his best seasons, but his career rsum makes it easy to understand Bostons interest.Rutschman has recorded a .254 batting average, 69 home runs, 277 RBIs and 285 walks over 572 career games. The former No. 1 overall pick has also been selected to three All-Star teams since making his major league debut in 2022.MORE:Braves acquire Brent Suter from Angels in trade for Nacho Alvarez Jr.Orioles would make stunning move inside AL EastTrading Rutschman would already represent a major decision for Baltimore. Sending him to Boston would make the move even more dramatic. The Orioles would be giving a division rival a switch-hitting catcher who remains under team control through the 2027 season. Rutschman is playing on a one-year, $7.25 million contract and has one additional year of arbitration eligibility before he can reach free agency.Baltimores willingness to discuss a trade may be connected to the organizations long-term catching depth. Samuel Basallo is considered an important part of the Orioles future, although he is also currently sidelined by an injury. The Orioles recently acquired veteran catcher Jake Rogers from the Detroit Tigers, providing another option behind the plate. That move now looks even more notable with Rutschman potentially headed elsewhere.Baltimore entered Monday with a 54-58 record. Despite remaining within striking distance of the postseason race, the organization appears willing to consider a major reshaping of its roster. The Red Sox would be betting that Rutschman can recover from his wrist injury and return to his All-Star form. A healthy Rutschman could become a central part of Bostons lineup this season and in 2027.The trade framework is reportedly ready. The prospects have been selected, and the medical information is available.Now the entire blockbuster rests on Bostons final answer.More MLB news:Phillies plan major Bryce Harper position change after Luis Arraez tradeCubs land Kevin Gausman in blockbuster trade with Blue JaysBrewers acquire Guardians catcher Bo Naylor in deadline tradeTwins acquire Dean Kremer from Orioles in MLB trade deadline move