The Orioles made Cal Raleigh's Mariners contract look like an even bigger steal

The Baltimore Orioles made a bold move this week by handing out an eight-year extension to Samuel Basallo, a player with just a week’s worth of big-league action under his belt.

On the surface, the deal reflects a growing trend in baseball: locking up young talent in hopes of potentially securing a future star at a discount. But in this case, the move feels less like savvy front-office maneuvering and more like a gamble on a small sample size and prospect hype.

Basallo, who has long been viewed as a high-upside prospect, could certainly blossom into a franchise cornerstone. Still, giving him guaranteed long-term money after barely dipping his toes into the major leagues raises eyebrows, particularly when compared to other recent catcher contracts around the league.

The Orioles can only hope they have the next Cal Raleigh

The most glaring comparison is Cal Raleigh’s deal with the Seattle Mariners. Raleigh, already regarded as a consensus top-five catcher in baseball at the time of his extension, had proven himself at the highest level over multiple seasons. He has cemented himself atop the catcher rankings with his monster 2025 campaign, where his bat, glove, and leadership behind the plate have made him one of the most valuable players in the sport.

His contract, signed just before the start of this season, is now looking like one of the single best bargains in all of baseball. Not only does Raleigh’s deal buy out multiple free agent years, but it also does so at a price that now looks laughably low compared to Baltimore’s decision to bet on a rookie with virtually no track record.

This contrast highlights the different philosophies teams are employing. The Orioles are banking on projection, hoping that Basallo’s upside and potential offensive impact will more than justify the early investment and future savings. The Mariners, on the other hand, secured a proven star at below-market value, a contract that looks more and more like a masterclass in timing with each passing day.

For Seattle, it’s hard not to see Raleigh’s deal as one of the true cornerstones of their contention window, an agreement that allows them to build around an elite catcher without being handcuffed financially.

On a separate note, the Basallo extension could threaten Adley Rutschman's future in Baltimore. Once viewed as the Orioles' unquestioned franchise cornerstone, the former No. 1 overall pick may suddenly find himself on the outside looking in. With Basallo locked up long term and Rutschman’s performance leveling off in recent years, his role as the centerpiece of the Orioles’ future is no longer guaranteed.

Baltimore’s bold commitment to Basallo suggests a potential shift in how they value their catching tandem, and if Basallo blossoms as they hope, Rutschman’s standing may take a significant hit.