MLB trade rumors: Indians “pushing hard” for Zach Britton

The Cleveland Indians are reportedly “pushing hard” for Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton, per Paul Hoynes.

Britton was tremendous for the Orioles last season with a 0.54 ERA and 1.94 FIP, but he’s less tremendous this season. Still, his 3.32 ERA and 2.83 FIP are nothing awful for a reliever, and he has yet to give up a home run this season. If anything, the Indians (or whoever makes a trade) could expect Britton to only get better, given his inflated .403 BABIP.

The Indians have already showed they are willing to deal a boatload of prospects for a reliever last year when they acquired Andrew Miller for a package headlined by Clint Frazier. Granted, Britton is no Andrew Miller (because no one is), but is this where the Indians deal Triston McKenzie? Because it’s probably going to take either him or Francisco Mejia, though Bobby Bradley thunderous power seems right up Baltimore’s alley.

Indians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti stated previously that the Indians were looking for the “right arm” at the deadline, so maybe a dominant reliever is that arm, and not a starting pitcher. The Tribe certainly aren’t desperate for relievers — their reliever core is currently fourth in the majors in fWAR (4.9), first in ERA (2.78), second in FIP (3.38), and fourth in strikeout rate (26.8 percent) — but as the boring trade deadline adage goes: He’d be a fit at the right price.