Baltimore Orioles: Possible Zach Britton Trade Destinations

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Will the Baltimore Orioles trade Zach Britton this offseason? If they do, these three teams look like possible landing spots for the elite lefty closer.

Relief pitchers have never been as important as they are now. When healthy, Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton is one of the best in baseball. He utterly dominated the ninth inning in 2016.

Injuries, unfortunately, limited Britton from having another Cy Young-worthy season in 2017. Since becoming a full-time reliever in 2014, Britton will fail to reach the 50 inning mark.

Before this injury-tarnished campaign he’s currently finishing up, Britton was a stable and reliable arm Buck Showalter could rely on. From 2014-2016 he saved at least 36 games and never ended the year with an ERA above 1.92. The 2016 season was his best with a league-leading 47 saves and 0.54 ERA.

Surely, the Orioles would love to keep Britton around. Baseball is a business, though. And players of his caliber need to get paid. He’s already earning $11.4 million this year through the arbitration process. Next year, despite missing a lot of time this season, he should earn even more.

It’s the fact that Britton’s contract expires after 2018 which should lead to the Orioles shopping him this offseason. This is dependent on whether they are willing to go “all in” next year or if they would prefer to begin the rebuilding process early. Since they’re facing the possibility of losing Britton, Adam Jones, Manny Machado, and others after 2018, the Orioles may decide early on who stays for the long-haul and which ones are dealt before they depart with no return.

If Britton becomes one of those trade casualties, plenty of teams will want him. Based on need and which teams have the talent to acquire Britton, I see these three squads as the best landing spots.

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.

Chicago Cubs

Will the Chicago Cubs ever keep a top closer for more than a season? Recent trends suggest this isn’t in Theo Epstein’s plans.

The Cubs added mercenary Aroldis Chapman at last year’s trade deadline. For this season, they’ve survived the ninth inning thanks to Wade Davis‘ excellence.

But like Chapman was at the end of last year, Davis is a free agent this winter. As such, Britton could end up with the Cubs in a similar position with a short commitment to him.

Despite lots of trades, the Cubs still have players to deal. Many are already in the big leagues. It’s unfortunate that the Orioles already have a slew of players similar to Kyle Schwarber. Otherwise, he’d fit in perfectly.

The Cubs will need someone to man the ninth inning for them next year in what should be yet another season of competitive baseball. Before locking in anyone long-term, they should at least consider a trade for Britton.

Chicago doesn’t have the minor league fire power they did before this summer’s trade deadline. However, the Orioles’ farm system is so barren they might be willing to take less than most teams would. It all comes down to how hard the Cubs are willing to pursue Britton and get a one year rental.

St. Louis Cardinals

Gone are the days when the St. Louis Cardinals were a lock to compete. It’s not just about their lack of a dominant closer. Although, adding Britton is a start to turn their fortunes around.

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Trevor Rosenthal will miss all of 2018 and Seung-hwan Oh is a free agent this winter. St. Louis does have a few other in-house options, but none compare to what Britton can deliver.

A great benefit for the Cardinals is the surplus of talent they have who may just need a change of scenery. Even if Randal Grichuk can’t hit for them, there’s a possibility he turns things around in another uniform. With Adam Jones’ contract set to expire after next season, the Orioles will need to load up on whatever young, MLB ready talent they can.

The best advantage St. Louis may have is how many talented pitchers they employ in the minor leagues. If Alex Reyes returns healthy next year, the Cardinals could spare someone a little more easily. I doubt they’d part with Luke Weaver to rent Britton for a year, but lesser prospects could bring him to “Baseball Heaven.”

Next: Top 10 Eastern League Prospects

One way or another, the Cardinals are going to get a closer for 2018. Will it be Britton or is someone else going to earn the saves?

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