Similar to the 2016 season, the Chicago Cubs look strong and to solidify their roster for another run in the postseason they’re searching for another pitcher to strengthen the bullpen. A couple reports from the weekend have two closers on the Cubs’ wishlist with Zach Britton being far more realistic to be traded this deadline.
The Cubs were in on Britton last year in July and there were even rumblings about the Cubs exploring a trade for the lefty in the offseason. That was until Britton tore his Achilles in December. But the link between the Cubs and Britton is back.
First, via Jon Heyman.
Britton is drawing major interest, as well, with at least six teams believed to be involved, likely including the Phillies, Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, Dodgers and Indians.
Chicago baseball reporter Bruce Levine also shared a similar piece of information.
Via Bruce Levine.
Adding a former lock down closer could be the final piece the Cubs need to solidify their push to a third straight Central division title. According to an industry source, the Cubs are one of eight contending teams talking to the Baltimore Orioles about reliever Zach Britton.
The Cubs’ bullpen has been great in the first half of the season, but that doesn’t mean you can take the success for granted. For example, the Cubs have gotten an unbelievable boost from their carousel of Triple-A relievers. Randy Rosario has been a savior and Anthony Bass was awesome before going on the DL last week with an illness.
But just as the 2016 season, when the Cubs already had Hector Rondon closing games, you can’t be content on staying put if you can improve the bullpen. Now, unlike the Cubs trading away a top-100 prospect as the headliner for Aroldis Chapman, trading for Britton in the next couple weeks will certainly not cost the Cubs nearly as much.
The Orioles could have had a big return last year, when they were considering a deal involving Britton, but nothing ever materialized from the trade rumors and then Britton tore his Achilles in the offseason and didn’t make his 2018 debut until the middle of June.
Despite that torn Achilles and injuries in 2017, that included a forearm strain that sidelined Britton for two months, it’s worth mentioning that from 2014-16 he was one of the most dominant relievers in baseball.
In 2016, the lefty had a 0.54 ERA and 0.84 WHIP, 47-for-47 in save chances. He only gave up four runs in 69 innings, striking out 74 batters to 18 walks. Prior to that freakish year, Britton had 1.65 ERA in 2014 and 1.92 ERA in 2015, saving 73 games in those two seasons.
So yeah, maybe last year the trade package for Britton would have been big, but the 30-year-old will be a free agent after this season and with his injuries the price is considerably lower.
Britton has appeared in 14 games this season for the Orioles this season, striking out 13 and walking eight in 13.2 innings. His 3.95 ERA and 1.32 WHIP obviously don’t look special, but four of the six earned runs he’s allowed this year came in one outing against the Atlanta Braves on June 22. Since then Britton has only surrendered two runs in 10 innings, giving up five hits, five walks and striking out eight during that 10-inning stretch.
Scouts believe Britton is returning to his 2016-form.
Via Bruce Levine.
A scout who has seen Britton in his last three outings is impressed with the pitcher’s stuff right now.
“The velocity is up (96) and the sink on his fastball is like the guy from 2016,” the NL scout said. “He will get a lot of traction from teams who have a worn down closer or setup guy.”
Brandon Morrow has been awesome in his first year with the Cubs, going 22-for-24 in save chances in the first half, striking out 31 in 30.2 innings. However, the Cubs have been extremely cautious with Morrow, who has a long history of injuries and spent time on the DL earlier this season with a back issue.
Trading for another reliever like Britton would definitely give the Cubs some insurance if something were to go wrong with Morrow in the second half. But a move for Britton would obviously come with the expectation that he’d be used by Joe Maddon in big spots during the playoffs.
Yeah, Justin Wilson has been great this season, but despite the numbers you still get more than a little nervous when he’s on the mound. Pedro Strop and Carl Edwards Jr. have been great too, but you can’t underestimate the power of having several weapons coming out of the bullpen in October to shorten games after grabbing a lead.
OK, so Britton is on the radar, but Levine also dropped this little nugget in his Britton report.
The Cubs’ wish list also includes Padres closer Brad Hand. Hand is under contract for two more seasons. Britton is a free agent in November. Hand has 24 saves and a 4-1 strikeout to walk ratio. He is signed through 2020 for $19.75M.
Trading for Brad Hand is a big long shot and most likely a wish that won’t come true for the Cubs. The Padres still have him under team control for two more seasons after 2018, and even if they considered trading him the cost would be huge.
Just how big? Well, Britton won’t bring in a Chapman-like haul, but Hand might if he’s dealt by San Diego.
Via MLB.com.
The lefty is under contract through 2020 with a team option for ’21, and the Padres hope to contend as early as next season. As a result, another rival expects it will take a package on par with those the Yankees got for Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller in ’16 to pry Hand away from San Diego.
“They’d absolutely have to kill it,” that rival said about the haul the Padres would need to trade Hand.
Hand has 24 saves this season with the Padres, with a 3.05 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 44.1 innings, striking out 65 and walking 15. Last year the lefty had 104 strikeouts in 79.1 innings. Since Hand was claimed off waivers by the Padres before the 2016 season, the reliever has a 2.66 ERA in 213 innings with San Diego.
So, at this point, Britton is the far more realistic possibility for the Cubs. Also, considering the front office has made a deal at or before the trade deadline for at least one reliever every year starting in 2015, you should expect the Cubs to make at least one move in the upcoming weeks too.
Oh one last thing. This is part of Jon Heyman’s breakdown on the Britton trade rumors that made me laugh out loud.
As one Orioles person put it, “He is an asset unto himself,” and someone who could potentially bring back as much as Machado.
If you ever doubted why it’s so hard to make a deal with the Orioles that statement right there might give you a glimpse as to why that is.
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