Baltimore Orioles and the gift of hindsight
By David Hill
The Baltimore Orioles had plenty of chances to trade Zach Britton. In hindsight, the decision to hold on for one last run looks like the wrong move.
Back in July, the Baltimore Orioles were facing a crossroads. They were barely on the edge of contention, and in a prime position to sell. The Orioles were set to trade Zach Britton to the Astros in July, only to have the trade nixed by ownership. The team reversed course, acquiring Jeremy Hellickson for a postseason push that was doomed before it started, as the Orioles finished the year with a 75-87 record.
This offseason, it was expected that the Orioles would revisit a potential deal for Britton. They had already placed Manny Machado on the trade block, asking for the best offer available. With Britton also a year from free agency, it would make sense that he would end up being flipped for prospects, helping the Orioles inevitable rebuilding process.
Instead, Britton ruptured his right Achilles tendon on Wednesday morning, an injury that will keep him out of action for at least four months. This injury deals a heavy blow to the Orioles bullpen for the first half of the year, and could have implications for the long term.
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Given the state of the Orioles roster, it is understandable that they wanted to take one more chance to reach the postseason. With the Orioles having Britton, Machado, and players like Adam Jones in the final year of their contracts, there is that desire to attempt to force that window of contention open for another year.
However, the Orioles do not appear to have the pieces required to contend. The starting rotation is still a mess, in need of at least two starters, and a viable ace. With Britton’s injury, the bullpen takes another hit, with the former All Star closer likely to miss at least a portion of the first half.
In retrospect, the Orioles should have moved Britton in July. His struggles last year, coupled with his forearm woes, meant that Baltimore should have been looking to move on. With Brad Brach performing well as the interim closer last season, the Orioles could have looked to fortify the bullpen in free agency, and may well have saved themselves some money in doing so. Now, they face the prospect of releasing Britton, or hoping that he can perform well after his return from injury. And if the Orioles find themselves out of contention, then their possible return will have diminished.
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The Baltimore Orioles came close to trading Zach Britton in July. With the benefit of hindsight, they may wish they pulled the trigger and let him go.