Dodgers Rumors: Zach Britton Player Thread

The MLB Trade Deadline is here, and the Dodgers are a big part of a lot of rumors going around the league. One key player that the Dodgers are zeroing in on is left-handed closer from the Baltimore Orioles, Zach Britton.

The Dodgers are heavily pursuing Zach Britton to join Pedro Baez and Kenley Jansen in the back end of their bullpen. Britton is a dominant left-hander who had an ERA below two his last three seasons. This season Britton is having a down season by his standards with an ERA of 3.32, but perhaps what’s more concerning is that he’s only appeared in 19 games this year. Britton has a held lefties to a .223 batting average in his seven-year career. He’ll bring balance to a bullpen that is right-handed dominant at the back end.

Britton is a huge target for Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi because they want to shorten the game. A bullpen with Brandon Morrow, Pedro Baez, Zach Britton and Kenley Jansen would without a doubt give the Dodgers the best bullpen in the league. Let’s check out some updates on the Dodgers pursuit for Britton as the deadline comes to a close.

12:50 pm – Zach Britton and Yu Darvish are likely to stay put. (via Twitter) – Jeff Passan

12:37 pm – The Dodgers have traded for Tony Watson from the Pirates. – (via Twitter) – Ken Rosenthal

12:30 pm – Dodgers are more interested in trading for Zach Britton than Yu Darvish (via Twitter) – Joel Sherman

12:30 pm – The Dodgers are talking to Pirates about Tony Watson. He’s a fallback option if they don’t get Britton. – (via Twitter) – Ken Rosenthal

12:15 pm – Important dynamic in Britton negotiations. Baltimore needs a big haul of their owner Angelos will not approve a trade. – (via, Twitter) – Ken Rosenthal

With the high asking price of Zach Britton, I would expect the Dodgers to check back in with San Diego about trading for their left-handed reliever Brad Hand. According to Jon Heyman, the Padres asking price is reasonable on Hand. San Diego is not demanding huge prospect but still working on a deal since he has two years left on his contract.

10:45 am – Dodgers remain engaged in talks with Orioles on Britton. Talks Fluid. (via Twitter) – Ken Rosenthal

10:40 am – “Seems likely that the Orioles move Britton” – (via MLB Network) – Ken Rosenthal

10:30 am – “One source describes Astros pursuit of Britton as “serious.” Executive with one of clubs involved believes deal with HOU is close.” – (via Twitter) – Ken Rosenthal

9:45 am – “In some corners of the Dodgers’ organization, there is a clear preference in priorities today: A wipeout left-handed relievers (like Britton) – (via Twitter) – Buster Olney 

Next: Gray, Verlander or Darvish? Who's the Right One?

The talks will continue to develop until the 1 pm deadline. Keep it here for all coverage on the Dodgers’ pursuit of Zach Britton and any other players the Dodgers are in play on.