Report: Orioles, Basallo finalizing 8-year, $67M extension

The Baltimore Orioles and top catching prospect Samuel Basallo are finalizing an eight-year, $67-million contract extension, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Basallo's deal, which will be the largest pre-arbitration extension for a catcher, will start next season and can max out at $88.5 million with performance bonuses and escalators, according to Passan.

The pact also includes a 2034 option, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

The 21-year-old has played in just four games after making his MLB debut Sunday. He's gone 4-for-14 with five RBIs since getting promoted but hit 23 homers with 67 RBIs and a .966 OPS over 76 contests in Triple-A this season.

Basallo's reported deal is also interesting considering the Orioles already have Adley Rutschman as their starting catcher. The 27-year-old two-time All-Star has struggled during an injury-plagued 2025 campaign but is arbitration-eligible through 2027.