MLB trade rumors: One player each team should target

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 21: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Machado /

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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 10: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Cleveland Indians in the eighth inning at Progressive Field on September 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Orioles 3-2, (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

Houston Astros

Zach Britton, RP

The Astros are the defending World Series champs. They’ve scored the third most runs in baseball and have the best ERA. After seeing the Angels lead their division early, and now the Mariners making a push, the Astros may still somehow need to improve. The question is where? The team seems to have no flaws, except for one. They need a left-handed reliever.

They’ve been considering trading for Zach Britton for a long time now. With his return expected in soon, this year it should happen despite the failed trade last year. Why not get the best left-handed reliever on the market?

Before last year, Britton had three straight years with a WHIP below 1 and a .54 ERA in 2016. He is extremely talented and will be able to come down and shut down left-handed hitters. From 2015-2017, he held lefties to a .182 batting average against him.

Britton being a free agent after this year help the Astros too. If he doesn’t bounce back from his injury the way they need him to, they won’t be tied to him beyond this year. They can stick with what they’ve had going so far this year. However, the more likely scenario is that Britton comes back and dominates, making the Astros that much harder to score against.

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