Baltimore Orioles: Possible Zach Britton Trade Destinations
By Tim Boyle
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks have a very small window to contend. This matches up very well with Britton and the one year he has remaining on his contract. If willing to go all in, it’s important the Diamondbacks add a top closer this offseason.
Arizona will have its core in place for 2018. The pitching is coming together with the offense doing far more consistent damage. Though they may lack the star power of the Los Angeles Dodgers, they’re a very capable team only a few steps behind.
Fernando Rodney received the bulk of save opportunities this year. His performance was often far from ideal. At best, Rodney finishes this season with an ERA in the mid-4.00s. This isn’t the type of closer a team with World Series dreams should aspire to employ.
The Diamondbacks’ bullpen as a whole needs an overhaul. Only Archie Bradley excelled this season. The rest didn’t do the starting rotation any favors. Some did hold their own, but are far from closer material.
One strength the Diamondbacks have in a possible pursuit of Britton is that they won’t have very many holes to fill this offseason. Aside from Rodney, J.D. Martinez is their biggest free agent. If they have a big trade in mind, adding a top-level closer should be a priority.