Yankees and the Astros in the lead to acquire Zach Britton

With the trade deadline now just a week away the Yankees and the Astros are reportedly the two teams in the lead to acquire Oriole’s closer, Zach Britton.

According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Yankees are making a serious push for Britton and it might come down to them and the defending champs to see who gets him.

The Red Sox, Brewers, D-Backs are also still in the mix according to Ken Rosenthal of The Atheltic, but the Yankees and Stros could probably put together better offers based on their farm systems. The Astros definitely need Britton more with the lack of a proven closer at the back end of their pen.

It comes as no surprise that the Yanks have shifted their focus to Britton and enhancing their bullpen given the lack of impact starting pitchers expected to be traded before the July 31st deadline. Last week I wrote that they would be smart to pursue Britton and make their greatest strength, their bullpen, even greater.

Britton got off to a slow start and looked rusty when he returned from his ruptured Achilles back on June 12th. However, over his last eight innings, he’s looked dominant and he’s put to rest a lot of the doubts about his health moving forward.

Since June 30th: 8 IP, 3 H, 0.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 6 K’s

As I said before the Yankees and Astros both have the prospects to get a deal done and it might come down to who’s willing to give up more. Because Houston needs Britton more that could force Brian Cashman to sweeten the deal so the Yankees don’t have to face him in an Astros uniform in a potential ALCS rematch this October.

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O’s want Florial

According to another report from SNY TV’s Andy Martino, the Yankees could get a deal done if they are willing to include their top prospect OF Estevan Florial. The YES Network’s Jack Curry recently reported that they won’t include any of their top prospects for a rental so I don’t see any scenario in which they’d trade the 20-year old outfielder.

The article from Martino also said Brandon Drury and either Albert Abreu or Chance Adams are being discussed as part of a potential package. Drury is expendable since he doesn’t have much of a role on the current Yankee roster, and Adams is the organization’s fourth-best prospect. He could probably join the O’s starting rotation at some point this season if he was dealt.

As for Abreu, I’d be hesitant to deal him as well for a rental like Britton. He has more upside than Adams and along with Justus Sheffield, he figures to be a fixture in the Yankees rotation for years to come once he gets called up.

Next: Who's the odd man out when Gleyber Torres returns?

We should find out sometime this week where Britton ends up and for the Yankees sake let’s hope it’s not with the Astros or Red Sox. They both may need him more, but the Yankees themselves could certainly use Britton as another weapon to set up for Aroldis Chapman.

Especially as insurance if Chapman’s knee issues worsen because you can never have to much bullpen help and Britton would be the perfect replacement.