News - Orioles Acquire Guardians Outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez in Trade

The Baltimore Orioles have made a strategic acquisition, obtaining outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez from the Cleveland Guardians in a trade deal. In exchange, the Orioles sent minor league right-handed pitcher Carter Rustad to Cleveland. This move, reported by several sports journalists including Tim Stebbins of MLB.com, adds depth to Baltimore's roster. Johnathan Rodriguez, a player experienced in 44 major league games with the Guardians in his career, was a third-round draft selection in 2017. Known for his outstanding minor league performance, Rodriguez boasted a remarkable .301/.390/.535 slash line accompanied by 56 home runs over 1,083 at-bats at the Triple-A level. Despite these impressive statistics, Rodriguez struggled to replicate this form in the major leagues, recording a batting average of just .176 over 117 plate appearances. His difficulties in handling advanced pitches contributed to the Guardians designating him for assignment, leading to this trade. Baltimore has recognized Rodriguez's potential, especially with a remaining minor league option, which enhances his role as a valuable depth player. However, it's uncertain how Rodriguez will fit into the Orioles' current 26-man roster unless an injury opportunity arises. The Orioles' outfield lineup is already robust, featuring players like Taylor Ward, Tyler O'Neill, Dylan Beavers, and Leody Taveras, as well as versatile utility players Jeremiah Jackson and Blaze Alexander who might play infield positions while Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg recover from injuries. Rodriguez's inclusion could serve as a strategic plan by the Orioles' evaluators, viewing him as a talent with untapped potential particularly if improvements can be made in how he handles pitch movement. Carter Rustad, on the other end of the trade, is nearing his 25th birthday and brings promise to the Guardians' pitching roster. Hailing from the University of Missouri, Rustad was drafted by Baltimore in 2024. Primarily utilized as a relief pitcher since joining professional baseball, Rustad demonstrated his capability with a 3.23 ERA, complemented by a 24.6% strikeout rate and a 10.1% walk rate over 53 innings in the 2025 minor league season, progressing through various levels from Single-A to Double-A. Cleveland sees Rustad as a promising arm that could add significant depth to their bullpen.