Orioles handing Samuel Basallo historic contract, sparking Adley Rutschman trade intrigue

The Orioles welcomed Samuel Basallo to the big leagues in a big, big way.

The team is finalizing a historic eight-year, $67 million contract with the rookie catcher, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, less than a week after his MLB call-up.

Basallo’s deal will kick in for the 2026 season and can max out at $88.5 million — the largest pre-arbitration extension for a catcher, per Passan.

The 21-year-old native of the Dominican Republic made his Orioles debut on Aug. 17 and in four games since is 4 for 14 with five RBIs and a .286/.333/.357 slash line.

It’s a promising start for the lefty, who signed a then-organizational record $1.3 million international deal in 2021 and has risen to the No. 9 prospect in all of baseball, per MLB’s rankings.

He quickly climbed the organizational ladder, reaching Triple-A as a 20-year-old after going from Low-A to Double-A in 2023.

He arrives in Baltimore after posting a .270/.377/.590 slash line with 23 homer runs and 67 RBIs in 76 games with Triple-A Norfolk this season.

He’ll also get an early chance to stake his claim behind the plate with incumbent backstop Adley Rutschman on the IL with an oblique strain for the second time in three months.

Rutschman, cited by The Post’s Jon Heyman as a top trade candidate this coming offseason, is in the midst of his worst offensive season as a pro.

With the 27-year-old shelved, Basallo can stake his claim on the position with the Orioles in an intriguing position at the end of a lost season.

He’ll have to work on his defense, a rough part of his game as noted by MLB scouts, though his “cannon” of an arm is a major positive.

The team could opt to play him at first base or designated hitter, as well.