MLB Trade Deadline: 5 moves Orioles should make

2. Trade Brad Brach to the Astros

Right-handed setup man Brad Brach has been one of the best finds by Dan Duquette during his tenure with the Orioles. He was a 42nd-round pick by the San Diego Padres and was traded to the Orioles when San Diego was ready to remove him from their roster. In four years with the Orioles, Brach has become one of the most reliable and durable relievers in the American League.

Brach has picked up 24 wins out of the bullpen for the Orioles over the past three-plus seasons with a 2.63 ERA and 9.6 strikeouts per nine. He has also picked up experience closing this year while Zach Britton was on the disabled list. Brach’s biggest flaw is that he can be prone to the longball, but overall, he is solid and capable of pitching almost every day.

The Orioles have two elite relievers to dangle on the trade block this year, and failing to move at least one would be a colossal mistake given the price contenders are willing to pay for solid bullpen arms. Brach has the pedigree to pitch in the seventh or eighth inning of high-pressure games. Zach Britton may have more overall value, but teams may be reluctant to give up too much given his forearm issues this year.

The bullpen has not been a huge issue for the Astros this year because their offense has been so dominant, but come the postseason, they may have a harder time holding leads or waiting to make a furious comeback in the late innings. The Astros have several dominant strikeout relievers in their bullpen, but it has been a combustible bunch at times. Brach would provide valuable stability, and the Astros have more than enough top prospects to get him from the Orioles.