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Chicago Cubs rumors: Trade for Zach Britton on the horizon?

By Dan Schmelzer

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 05: Pitcher Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles works the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 5, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 05: Pitcher Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles works the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 5, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Recent Chicago Cubs rumors heavily connect the team to Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton.

The Chicago Cubs just went into Baltimore and swept the Orioles. Now, are they going to take one of their best players? Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, cites sources connecting the Cubs to Orioles closer Zach Britton.

Since becoming a full-time reliever back in 2014, Britton has been one of the best relief pitchers in Major League Baseball. He was absolutely dominant last season, posting a 0.54 ERA on the season. Britton also had a ridiculous 29.1% strikeout rate (according to Fangraphs) last season.

Britton’s numbers have come back to earth a bit this season (1.93 ERA and a 14.8% strikeout rate). He has also missed a lot of time this season with a forearm injury but he is still undoubtedly one of the best bullpen arms in the entire game. Britton will enter his last year of arbitration next offseason, which means he will become a free agent after the 2018 season.

I can see why the 42-49 Orioles would trying to move Britton while his value is high, but I do not think the Cubs are going to be able to put together a competitive offer.

Not enough prospect talent

Adding Britton to the mix with Wade Davis and Carl Edwards at the back of the Cubs bullpen would be great. He would also provide security for the team if they cannot get Davis back as a free agent over the offseason.

That being said, the Cubs just used their best two minor league players (Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease) to trade for Jose Quintana. They simply do not have a lot left to trade in the minor leagues. Sure, they can make a smaller addition or two, but unless they trade from their crop of major league talent, I simply do not see this happening.

The Cubs are not going to want to give up Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ, Javier Baez or Addison Russell for Britton. And the Orioles are unlikely to be happy with a package of the remaining prospects in the system.

Next: Breaking down Quintana's incredible Cubs debut

If Baltimore truly makes Britton available via trade, they would likely get much better offers than what the Cubs would put together. I would not be surprised to hear that Theo Epstein and company have made a call about Britton, but any trade sending him to the Chicago Cubs is extremely unlikely.

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