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MLB trade rumors: Top 25 trade assets for deadline

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 24, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) smiles while on deck during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) smiles while on deck during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 4, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Zach Britton

Zach Britton is the best reliever who could potentially become available at the deadline. The only problem is that he has spent the past two months on the disabled list with a strained forearm. While it was not ruled to be a precursor to Tommy John, injuries to that region of the arm are always scary for a pitcher.

The Orioles have imploded since Britton went on the disabled list, and he may be the easiest chip for them to trade if they are able to shake the delusional belief that they should be buyers at the deadline. The left-hander should be back around the Fourth of July, and if he stays healthy and pitches well, the Orioles should begin fielding calls from teams that need a closer.

Britton has been one of the best closers in baseball since the Orioles pulled the plug on him as a starter. The success he has had with his sinker is the closest anyone has come to what Mariano Rivera did for years with his cutter. Since 2014, Britton has a 1.36 ERA in 218.0 innings and has allowed only eight home runs. Over that time frame, opponents are batting .192/.252/.253 against Britton. If you want to beat Britton, you’ll have to hope for a walk and a few singles to push across a run.

The Nationals are the best trade partner for the Orioles if they decide to move their closer, but relations between the two teams are icy at best. Would they be willing to put aside their TV dispute for the good of their rosters?

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