The Chicago Cubs have traded big-name prospects for closers in the past two years and less than a week ago they were reportedly interested in doing the same for a third straight season. However, one Cubs insider is ruling that scenario out.
According to NBC Sports Chicago’s Patrick Mooney, the Cubs trading for Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton is no longer a valid option.
The Cubs executives who checked out of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando on Wednesday had to ask the Baltimore Orioles again about Zach Britton. But any standard due diligence during the general manager meetings doesn’t mean Britton will follow Aroldis Chapman and Wade Davis as the next All-Star rental closer at Wrigley Field.
(Patrick Mooney)
Last week, MLB insider Jon Heyman, reported that the Cubs were one of a few teams interested in Britton.
cubs and dodgers are among teams showing interest in zach britton, who's back on the block. https://t.co/NF2DNe74kA
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 13, 2017
However, according to Mooney, the Cubs don’t appear to be focusing on the lefty anymore.
Whatever window that might have been open probably closed right before the July 31 trade deadline, sources said, when the Cubs found Baltimore’s asking price to be too high, wondered if internal issues might prevent the Orioles from actually going through with a Britton deal and then pivoted to acquire their other targeted lefty reliever – Justin Wilson – from the Detroit Tigers.
On all levels, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein doesn’t really feel that same sense of urgency for that kind of trade now.
(Patrick Mooney)
Back in July, the Cubs were linked to Britton in trade talks, but ultimately a deal never happened, despite the numerous reports. If you take a step back and look at the big picture it’s fairly easy to see why the Cubs wouldn’t want to trade for Britton. For one, he’s had arm injuries and in 2017, he was forced to only pitch 37.1 innings. Plus, he’ll be in his final year of arbitration and will be a free agent following the 2018 season. Doesn’t really make sense to pay about $12 million for one year of a guy, who’s coming off arm injuries and who could easily leave after one season and then the Cubs are left without a closer again. You know, kind of like the current Cubs situation. Can’t keep taking those risks.
Also, the Cubs have a few great options in free agency and Mooney brings up two specific names that the front office is targeting this offseason.
To find a ninth-inning solution, the Cubs have identified options like converted starter/setup guy Brandon Morrow, who shut them down during the National League Championship Series and appeared in 14 of 15 playoff games for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Cubs are also expected to monitor Addison Reed, who closed for the White Sox earlier in his career, pitched in pennant races with the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox and will be only 29 next season.
(Patrick Mooney)
Plus, there’s still Wade Davis, who could potentially return if he doesn’t get the big offer he wants.
Personally, I’d love for the Cubs to get Addison Reed. Wish the Cubs could have gotten him at the trade deadline, when the New York Mets were selling left and right and dealt Reed to the Boston Red Sox. Reed is 28-years-old and not only has experience closing games, but he’s been dominant for the last three years. During the three-year period, Reed has a 2.66 ERA, 218 strikeouts, 47 walks in 209.2 innings.
The latest contract projection for Reed is a three-year deal, worth $30 million.
So, whether it’s Reed, or Brandon Morrow, I’ll take them over one season of Zach Britton and it appears as though the Cubs are going in that direction as well.
