The Cubs bullpen cracked under the postseason pressure this fall, with their dreams of repeating as World Series champs dashed by the Dodgers.
And to make matters worse, their most reliable reliever and closer Wade Davis is a free agent and may become too expensive for the Cubs to retain.
Enter one, Zach Britton to the conversation. According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Cubs and Dodgers are once again expressing interest in the lefty-closer.
This is no surprise, as the Cubs were rumored to be the favorites to make a deal for Britton at the deadline this past summer. The 29-year-old reliever has put together two straight fantastic seasons, with a 2.89 ERA in 2017 and an incredible 0.54 ERA in 2016. Britton is signed for this 2018 but will be a free agent after the season, which may drive the asking price down some for the Cubs. However, Baltimore ended up holding on to Britton at the deadline in hopes of the club making a late playoff push. But with the Orioles two best players in OF Adam Jones and 3B Manny Machado both free agents after the 2018 season, maybe Baltimore will reduce the asking price? With the Cubs reportedly willing to part with MLB talent to acquire the likes of Chris Archer or Andrew Benintendi, maybe they would do the same for Britton? I doubt Zach Britton alone nets the Orioles a Kyle Schwarber or Javier Baez, but maybe sweeten the deal with a Kevin Gausman? No word on any actual deal forming, but with Heyman reporting it, the Cubs are surely weighting all options at the closer position.
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