NEWSLETTER
The early-morning rumor mill had the Cubs not so much “out” on Zach Britton, but also not necessarily as favored as it sounded like last night.
… but also, they’re a finalist. Basically, it’s the week before the Trade Deadline, folks!
The latest on Zach Britton: It's looking like a four-team scramble among the #Astros, #RedSox, #Yankees and #Cubs. Hearing that Houston and New York both sweetened their offers in the last day or two.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 24, 2018
All else equal, you’d have to assume it’s a little easier for the Orioles to pull off the trade outside of the AL East, which, again, would make it seem like the Astros and Cubs – said to be the “most aggressive” teams last night – make the most sense as the favorites for Britton.
Like we discussed earlier today, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cubs are holding the line a bit on trying to make this a combination deal – reliever and starter – if possible, while also holding out the possibility that they will instead go after a rental starter like Nathan Eovali or J.A. Happ if the Orioles don’t accede. The Cubs’ farm system is far from great, but if they were going to include multiple top prospects in a deal with the O’s, I’d have to think a starter like Dylan Bundy or Kevin Gausman would be included.
All that said, I still tend to think the best outcome this week for the Cubs is adding a reliever like Britton and a starter like Eovaldi – pure rental deals for lower costs, rolling the dice a bit on the significant upside while also providing depth, and then being in a position to re-set in the offseason.
