The Orioles signed Samuel Basallo to a long-term extension. Some of his teammates have better cases to join him than others.

T he Baltimore Orioles and catcher Samuel Basallo have reportedly agreed to an eight-year extension worth at least $67 million, the largest contract in Major League Baseball history for a backstop who has fewer than two years of service time.

The Orioles have been decimated by injuries, but none more impactful than Adley Rutschman, the franchise’s first overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. Rutschman has appeared in just 85 games for Baltimore this year and has regressed at the plate after earning two consecutive All-Star selections the past two seasons.