Call to the pen
Fansided

Two realistic reliever trade options for the Houston Astros

By Kyle Cardoza

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 14: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 14, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 14: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 14, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Orioles’ Zach Britton pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun/TNS via Getty Images) /

Zach Britton

Baseball fans and experts already knew the Orioles were sellers at the deadline. Now that Manny Machado is off the market, Britton is the team’s biggest trade chip.

The left-handed reliever owns less-than-stellar stats, but he is subject to a small sample size. Moreover, Britton’s recent achilles injury is a serious one and can hinder one’s career.

Yet, prior to his injury, the Baltimore closer was in his prime. His 2016 campaign was one of the best in MLB history, and he seemed poised to remain a top-tier closer.

However, Britton is arguably as unreliable than ever – he boasts a 1.36 WHIP. His results last season were mediocre as well.

Thus, Houston can cash in on a significant discount. Analysts suggest that the Dodgers won the Machado trade handsomely, but they dealt five players in return for a summer with the shortstop.

Of course, if Machado sticks around past this season, it will be a legitimate steal considering his value. Britton is a similar case, though no team will be willing to let five prospects go in exchange.

But Britton may be prepared to join a contender. He pitched in just two postseason series, and it was prior to his dominant back-to-back seasons. Should he join the Astros, he will almost undoubtedly be the case if he joins the Astros.

And like Familia, the 30-year-old is pending free agent by the end of 2018. Thus, he surely wants to find a long-term home that is not undergoing a rebuild.

Hence, Houston can acquire the two-time All-Star at a bargain. Similar to Hand’s case, it may just take one higher-tier prospect. Some options are David Paulino, Rogelio Armenteros and even Cionel Perez. 

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