Dillon Atkinson: Chapman deal puts Britton's trade value into perspective

Who would have thought Orioles closer Zach Britton could continue to get better? In his age-28 season this year, Britton has converted all 32 of his save opportunities, recording 10.55 strikeouts per nine innings and an MLB-leading 0.63 ERA over 42.2 innings pitched. He's one of the best, if not the best, relievers in all of baseball.

With 2016 being his first year of arbitration eligibility, Britton is earning $6.8 million. He has two more years of arbitration prior to reaching free agency, and that annual salary will continue to get a bump. In fact, for the 2017 season, it wouldn't surprise me if his salary gets bumped at or north of $10 million.
Now, this may not be an issue for the Orioles.

But let's not forget that Dan Duquette salary dumped former O's closer Jim Johnson after the 2013 season, and also didn't want to pay big bucks to Andrew Miller following the 2014 season, citing, "I'm not sure a relief pitcher has that kind of economic value for this ball club in this market." However, after stating this following the 2014 season, Duquette inked setup man Darren O'Day to a four-year, $31 million deal this past offseason. Also, Brad Brach is making $1.25 million this season, and will be getting a pay bump in arbitration next season. With those two, plus Britton, it'll be interesting to see whether or not the Orioles carry that much money on the books for three relievers.

Why am I wondering this? It's because of the deals the Yankees and Padres have made within the past year. In November, the Padres traded closer Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox in exchange for prospects Manuel Margot, Carlos Asuaje, Javier Guerra and Logan Allen. This past week, the Yankees traded closer Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs for Adam Warren and prospects Gleyber Torres, Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford.

Kimbrel is under team control 2018 for $37.5 million, assuming his 2018 club option is exercised. The return San Diego got was well worth it. Per MLB Pipeline, Margot is the Padres' second-best prospect and ranked 39th in all of baseball. Guerra is the club's third-best and baseball's 49th-best. Along with those two, Allen and Asuaje are ranked eighth and 17th on the club's list, respectively.

Chapman was dealt to Chicago earlier this week, and he is just a half-season rental that the Cubs paid a hefty price for. Warren has a 3.66 ERA in five major-league seasons. Torres is now ranked the Yankees' number one overall prospect, as well as 24th-best in baseball. McKinney is the club's fifth-best prospect and is ranked 75th in all of baseball. Crawford isn't ranked, but is a 22-year-old outfielder that is good depth for New York to have in its minor league system.

I'm not saying the Orioles should be looking to deal Britton in the middle of a pennant race, but I do think the club should, at the very least, explore the trade value he has this offseason. With O'Day, Brach and Mychal Givens in the fold, the O's can afford to part ways with Britton for the right return. With closers in high demand right now, the Orioles could very well replenish some of their depleted farm system, as well as maybe even get a major-league piece, in return for their dominant southpaw. If a team is willing to part ways with two top prospects - plus more - for a half-year of Chapman, I'd be lying if I said I haven't wondered what the Birds could get in return for two years of Britton.

Dillon Atkinson blogs about the Orioles for Orioles Uncensored. Follow him on Twitter: @DAtkinsonOU. His thoughts on the O's appear here as part of MASNsports.com's continuing commitment to welcome guest bloggers to our little corner of cyberspace. All opinions expressed are those of the guest bloggers, who are not employed by MASNsports.com but are just as passionate about their baseball as our roster of writers.