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Yankees Reportedly “Focused” On Zach Britton

By Steve Adams | January 3, 2019 at 2:45pm CDT

2:45pm: Fancred’s Jon Heyman tweets that the Yankees “seem focused” on Britton in their pursuit of bullpen upgrades, though he adds that the lefty is “believed” to have multiple offers in hand.

2:08pm: Today’s agreement between the Phillies and David Robertson could accelerate the market for lefty Zach Britton, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan tweets that Britton “looks like the next reliever to go.” Britton was a known target of the Phillies before they signed Robertson and of the Cardinals before they signed Andrew Miller, and Passan adds that Britton has “been in discussions” with the Yankees recently. The Athletic’s Jayson Stark tweeted this morning, too, that the Yankees are “heavily focused” on the bullpen market at the moment and listed Britton as a target.

As with any free agent, the asking price is a key, however, and Stark tweets that Britton and agent Scott Boras have been holding out for a four-year guarantee. That’s a huge ask for any reliever but particularly for one with Britton’s recent track record. Though there was a strong argument to be made that as recently as 2016, Britton was baseball’s premier reliever, the past two seasons have been decidedly less successful. Britton missed significant time in 2017 due to forearm issues and missed the first half of the 2018 campaign while recovering from surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in offseason workouts.

Because of those injuries, Britton has been limited to just 78 innings across the past two seasons and has had decidedly mixed results along the way. He’s registered a sharp 3.00 ERA in that time but also had diminished strikeout and walk numbers (7.3 K/9, 4.5 BB/9). Britton’s swinging-strike rate is down nearly five percent from its 17.2 percent peak in 2016, and his chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone has plummeted from a career-high 38.7 percent in 2015 to 29.5 percent last season. Velocity, too, has served as a red flag. Though Britton’s infamous sinker gained some speed as the 2018 season wore on and he distanced himself from that Achilles surgery, even his end-of-season velocity was well south of the 97.1 mph he averaged on his sinker in 2016.

None of that is to say that Britton is no longer a quality bullpen option. Even with diminished results, he’s still elite in terms of inducing ground-balls, limiting hard contact and avoiding the long ball. Given that he only just turned 31, it’s certainly plausible that a full offseason of rest and regular workouts could allow Britton to return to the pre-injury form he displayed from 2014-16 when he posted an unthinkable 1.38 ERA with a nearly 80 percent ground-ball rate, better than a strikeout per inning (9.3 K/9) and strong control (2.4 BB/9) through a span of 209 innings.

In that sense, Britton possesses a higher ceiling than any available reliever. However, his two most recent seasons should create some real cause for concern. Relievers with red flags can certainly still get paid — Miller secured a $25MM guarantee over two years from the Cardinals on the heels of an injury-marred season of his own — but a four-year pact would be a particularly strong outcome for a pitcher whose recent performance simply hasn’t aligned with his name value.

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New York Yankees Newsstand Zach Britton

Indians Sign Justin Grimm To Minor League Contract
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Bullpen Rumors/Notes: Kimbrel, Red Sox, Phillies, Warren, Wilson, Mets, Angels
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143 Comments

  1. walls17

    6 years ago

    Yankees make the most sense at this point

    6
    Reply
    • Chris

      6 years ago

      Idk about most sense, but I certainly want the Yankees to make Britton and/or Ottavino decent offers

      7
      Reply
      • MahatmaGagne

        6 years ago

        Ottavino was a beast considering he pitched at Coors field often…….Britton will go to the Dodgers. This FO hasn;t addressed this bp and have gone on the cheap in recent years.

        Yes, Kelly is a nice addition, but Britton would make the Dodgers bp elite. Time to DFA or include Fields in a coordinating trade.

        1
        Reply
      • Cardinals17

        6 years ago

        The Yankees need both of them. They have a good enough defense and offense without waiting to see what Machado and Harper do. I wish every team would say the H..l with Harper And Machado and get the market moving.

        1
        Reply
    • harmoney101575

      6 years ago

      and harper and machado … they will get realmuto… they will trade for kluber… you yankee fans are crazy!!!

      14
      Reply
      • Piro

        6 years ago

        I’m glad of being a fan of a team that tries to compete every year.

        7
        Reply
        • harmoney101575

          6 years ago

          my comment was more about the unrealistic dreams that yankee fans post all the time not about the team trying to compete each year.

          10
          Reply
        • southbeachbully

          6 years ago

          Let’s admit that there are fans of all ages and levels of intelligence. No one here said anything about getting all of those guys. Why make it seem as such?

          4
          Reply
        • macstruts

          6 years ago

          While true, it seems that many Yankee fans want the best RP on the market, the best starting pitcher on the market and to many, the best free agent on the market.

          It seems that Yankee fans don’t want everyone, just the cream of the crop.

          3
          Reply
        • southbeachbully

          6 years ago

          In terms of “want” what fan of any team does’t want the best available free agent at a specific position? That’s not unique to one fanbase. Expecting your team to acquire ALL OF THEM is a bit absurd and some fans are a bit fanatical. But at the end of the day the word “fan” is derived from the word “fanatical” right? I’ve read where most Yankee fans are split on one of Harper or Machado. Phillies and ChiSox fans are commenting on wanting both. Are they absurd as well? It’s not a “Yankee” thing.

          5
          Reply
        • Willy Mays

          6 years ago

          Harmony the post you responded to said he hopes Yanks make decent offers to Ottavino and/or Britton.How does that escalate into “unrealistic dreams that Yankee fans post all the time “

          3
          Reply
        • deweybelongsinthehall

          6 years ago

          Remember 2009 after they saw Boston win in 07 and the Rays make the WS in 08. The Yankees signed almost everyone (think it was Tex, CC and AJ Burnett).

          6
          Reply
        • phreddyl

          6 years ago

          Why is that a bad thing? I would think any fan of any team wants the best.

          2
          Reply
        • Rostrow416

          6 years ago

          Why would any fan not want their team to get the best players? It doesn’t matter if you’re rooting for the Yankees or the Padres or the Marlins, no one is sitting back hoping their team picks up Joe Schmoe out of Double A

          1
          Reply
        • JustOnePitch

          6 years ago

          They have the ca$$h to do exactly as such!

          Reply
        • Metfan1964

          6 years ago

          Mets also should be in on him- They need a good lefty out of the pen. When Diaz and Familia suck(mets have terrible luck), he could become the closer.

          Reply
      • walls17

        6 years ago

        Well no I never did say that. There’s mutual interest between the two sides. And with the bigger teams like Philly and St. Louis filling their needs and the Yankees still having a need Britton makes a lot of sense for both sides. Obviously he could go somewhere else. But if you need a rundown of the facts then here they are

        2
        Reply
      • southbeachbully

        6 years ago

        Why make such a silly statement? Did anyone just now say that? Yanks have money and needs. No one expects them to acquire ALL of those players. Stop being a baby.

        5
        Reply
      • Basebal101

        6 years ago

        Harmoney I 100% agree that Yankee fans are the most annoying on here and have unrealistic dreams that I am tired of.. That said, I don’t think this post was that way at all. Nothing written there that warranted such a harsh response.

        3
        Reply
        • southbeachbully

          6 years ago

          Why does it bother you so much? Click a down vote and kick rocks. Some of these fans are probably teenagers who have no concept of the real world. I know I shouldn’t bother even worrying about what you or others say but this is annoying. I’ve seen Yankee fans, and fans of other teams too, post logical well thought out posts and rather than having a good exchange they get sarcasm and down votes or no comment at all. But let some kid say he wants 3 or 4 guys signed or traded and the haters come out the woods. What does it say that a lot of you will only respond to something absurd or unrealistic yet other well thought up comments are ignored or down voted (not that I care about a down vote). We spend so much time commenting on other commentors rather than having healthy debates using facts, stats or just logic.

          5
          Reply
      • rjsuitor

        6 years ago

        No not crazy ..look you are talking about a team the NY Yankees getting close to it’s 30th world series championship while many of you other fans are hoping their team finally gets one WS ring . It’s the Yankee way since baseball was on the map. Nothing wrong with being the best, wanting the best or striving to be better then the year before. Every other team gets fat off the Yankees some teams almost on purpose to turn a profit. MLB as a whole does better when the Yankees are in it. Just a fact. We don’t have to win every year just mostly every year.

        Reply
    • deweybelongsinthehall

      6 years ago

      Phillies could also get Britton if they don’t sign Harper or Machado. Timing might become a factor if he’s still available after the others sign.

      1
      Reply
    • luclusciano

      6 years ago

      Most sense for the Yankees, maybe not for Britton

      2
      Reply
      • xabial

        6 years ago

        I hope so! It would be great signing. Learn from the DRob contract (even though Drob was own agent) try to add a team option in there. Britton is my #1, DRob was a close #2.

        2
        Reply
    • Metfan1964

      6 years ago

      Mets also should be in on him- They need a good lefty out of the pen. When Diaz and Familia suck(mets have terrible luck), he could become the closer.

      Reply
  2. Daver520

    6 years ago

    Boras is a jerk … but a very rich one

    1
    Reply
    • Slevin

      6 years ago

      So getting the best deals possible for his clients makes him “a jerk”..smdh

      11
      Reply
      • Old User Name

        6 years ago

        He gets the best deals for the Bryce Harpers of the world. For the Mike Moustakasas of the world, not so much. Moral of the story: only use Boras if you are a top tier player.

        1
        Reply
        • Slevin

          6 years ago

          Take all the contracts Boras has gotten his clients over the years and the positives outweigh the negatives.

          12
          Reply
        • jdgoat

          6 years ago

          How do you blame Boras and not the owners for the Moustakas situation? And even if it was, one example doesn’t prove your point.

          10
          Reply
        • Old User Name

          6 years ago

          JD… Boras is responsible for giving his clients the best advice. Moose isn’t nearly the only one. Drew and Grandal immediately come to mind. I’ll be surprised if Grandal gets what he has turned down.

          1
          Reply
        • southbeachbully

          6 years ago

          Has ANY Boras client signed yet this year? I know he has a large staff but I wonder how well the needs of the lesser players looking for 1 year deals are tended too? If I’m a “fringy” star I would start to get a bit nervous the next couple of weeks.

          2
          Reply
        • jdgoat

          6 years ago

          Yes, it’s his job to read the market. But I’m not going to fault him for not doing the impossible task of reading last years free agent landscape. It’s not his fault half the league isn’t trying to win.

          7
          Reply
        • Old User Name

          6 years ago

          JD… Don’t forget he cost Arrietta by not going the extension rout when the Cubs wanted to keep him. There’s Carlos Gonzalez and Jonathan Lucroy as well. There’s no shortage of names, I just didn’t know you wanted me to list them all.

          4
          Reply
        • deweybelongsinthehall

          6 years ago

          Also Veritek years ago. Some pitcher I can’t recall also comes to mind. Bottom line is the players ultimately are responsible for their lives. They get advice but have to live with their decision. Just like the best law firm gets 10 similar type injury cases. Their clients all expect to get maximum dollars be it settlement or trial. Most usually end up happy but not all. Roll the dice and occasionally snake eyes comes up.

          6
          Reply
        • thegreatcerealfamine

          6 years ago

          Exactly Dewey. Why do people on here act like Boras is the one in charge, and not the players. This Boras’s fault stuff is just ridiculous. The players turn down or accept all contract offers, and no agent forces them into anything. If the players don’t like the way things are going, simple fire the agent.

          5
          Reply
        • yesgeo

          6 years ago

          slaving borass while serving his clients has damaged baseball by his sucker deals of over hyped marketed retirement players who simply retire while playing… and don’t give the stolen money back… all legal but moral ?? that is like saying trump is a moral honest person ! lol

          1
          Reply
        • iverbure

          6 years ago

          How on earth are the owners to blame for Moustakas last year. He turned down 17.1 mil last year!!!!! God forbid these poor players should have to settle for generaltion wealth one year to rid themselves of the burden of the QO!

          2
          Reply
        • stratcrowder

          6 years ago

          That was pretty useless.

          1
          Reply
        • its_happening

          6 years ago

          JDGoat you want to blame the owners on Moustakas not taking a QO?

          Go own a business. You’ll quickly have more appreciation for owners in baseball. If you don’t blame Boras then you may as well do without Agents. This is on the agent and client considering the deals they turned down before accepting the final offer.

          Reply
        • jdgoat

          6 years ago

          I made a burner account to debate……. myself?

          And anyways, these teams all turn profits. They aren’t losing money by spending 170 million instead of 160 million. I own a business that’s been in my family for years. I assume it’s nowhere near the same as owning a baseball team.

          Reply
      • Houston We Have A Solution

        6 years ago

        Comments made by Boras sometimes can come off as being a jerk. Especially about owners and franchises unwilling to spend.

        2
        Reply
      • Pedro Cerrano's Voodoo

        6 years ago

        No driving salaries through the roof annually so a family of four can hardly afford to go see a game makes him one. Saddling teams with albatross contracts that hamstring them for years make hime one. Boras is not good for baseball.

        4
        Reply
        • deweybelongsinthehall

          6 years ago

          Owners finally learned a way to correct the market. With imports from other countries more prelevant than ever, teams flood the market instead of overpaying arb awards and supply v. demand takes over. The best will still get paid but for most on shorter contracts.

          1
          Reply
        • JustOnePitch

          6 years ago

          Talk to the Billionaire owners on this topic. Boras is not your problem!

          Reply
      • elscorchot

        6 years ago

        One thing that makes him a jerk, is that once Jose Fernandez died, he stopped being interested in anything Jose related. As much of a jerk as marlins fans made the old owner to be, he paid for the funeral and set up a trust for Jose’s daughter. Make your money, yes, but don’t forget the humanity part of the deal.

        2
        Reply
        • southbeachbully

          6 years ago

          This isn’t a snarky comment. How do you know what Boras may or may not have done? just curious.

          Reply
      • sambito3510

        6 years ago

        Most agents hate him because he drives away attention from other players and he has a terrible personality. I’ve met the guy and, frankly, he is a jerk.

        1
        Reply
        • Willy Mays

          6 years ago

          I don’t understand how Boras or any other agent drives away attention from other players. Are you implying that if you have a player A who is better then Boras’s player B that GM’s are so stupid that they won’t pay attention to your player but only want to know about Boras’s player. Please explain that comment.

          1
          Reply
        • Samuel

          6 years ago

          I like Scott Boras a lot……

          If there is a problem between his client and a team manager, GM, medical staff, etc.; he immediately steps in as a manager would to stop a player arguing with an ump and getting himself thrown out. Boras protects his clients, but in turn expects them to conduct themselves professionally and be in the best physical and mental shape possible (he provides staff and equipment for his clients, year-around). I seldom hear of his clients causing chaos for teams in the media.

          He is extremely good at suckering gullible Owners and GM’s. Like a drug dealer, used car salesperson, or political consultant, Mr. Boras spins stories of dreams – now using cherry-picked statistics – on the inexperienced, greedy, and desperate. I’ve watched GM’s get fired after signing numbers of his clients for exorbitant salaries that did not produce anywhere near the level inferred in the marketing brochure. In turn, I can immediately think of 2 franchises that had to be sold – Rangers and Dodgers – directly because of the ongoing financial impact had on the franchises and subsequently the Owners.

          Scott is a businessperson, and a brilliant one. He has helped GM’s and Owners, and – as noted above – he has ruined some. Caveat emptor.

          Bottom line – once they’re out of baseball, at least 95% of his clients and their families were thankful that Mr. Boras took them on as a client.

          1
          Reply
        • Priggs89

          6 years ago

          “Mr. Boras spins stories of dreams – now using cherry-picked statistics – on the inexperienced, greedy, and desperate”

          If any owner/gm is falling for that these days, they deserve to get canned. The amount of information that is readily available to even “normal” people (like us) these days is unbelievable. I can only imagine some of the proprietary stuff teams have right now. Anybody falling for cherry picked stats deserves 99.9% of the blame (instead of the guy spitting out those numbers).

          Boras does his job, and he does it well. He’s not always right, but he’s always acting in his clients best interest. And for everyone that takes jabs at him for making your favorite player sign somewhere else, just keep in mind that THE PLAYER makes the final call 100% of the time.

          Reply
        • sambito3510

          6 years ago

          Boras controls many of the top name players, thus making it harder for 2nd tier players to gain much attention during free agency. He also draws out his process by waiting for contracts making it harder for the 2nd tier players to gain much traction as teams are still choosing whether or not to offer Boras’ players. I’ve had detailed talks with multiple player reps on their thoughts of Boras and his practices. General consensus is that he’s not a personable guy. My uncle who was a player rep for 31 years, Joe Sambito, even had a negative opinion on Boras.

          1
          Reply
        • JustOnePitch

          6 years ago

          He’s a Dick! He also does what’s best for baseball!

          Reply
        • Slevin

          6 years ago

          LOL..all righty then..come-on-man
          Definite delusions of grandeur here folks!!

          Reply
        • sambito3510

          6 years ago

          You’re entitled to your opinion until you’ve met with player reps and had conversations with them, or until you meet Boras for yourself to find out. Just telling you what I’ve heard from a significant portion of the people I’ve had conversations with. He may be a jerk but he does his job, he gets his players paid.

          Reply
    • johnrealtime

      6 years ago

      I’ve learned that there is no arguing against those who hate scott boras and think him some demon.

      There are three things that it is most often pointless to discuss, as you’re very unlikely to change someone’s mind: religion, politics, and Scott Boras

      4
      Reply
      • Old User Name

        6 years ago

        Personally I don’t hate Boras. I don’t care if he’s a jerk etc. I just don’t think he is a good agent for second tier players. For the best players, there’s no one better.

        4
        Reply
        • johnrealtime

          6 years ago

          His successes in the second tier market just isn’t reported like his failures. He goes for high risk maneuvers, they work sometimes and don’t others. I am sure he lays all of it out for his clients who make the ultimate decision. Many fans have the misguided notion that when you hire an agent you hand all decision making over to them

          3
          Reply
        • Matthew De Lorge

          6 years ago

          I don’t hate Boras either, but the slow market that has suddenly occurred the past few offseasons is what I consider the “Boras Effect”. Guy delays all his top guys til after the new year with mystery teams and more fake crap, all the while the rest of the market doesn’t move much because his clients are setting it.

          The players are crying collusion, but now that teams are smartening up to him, it’s them and not Boras who is causing it.

          MLB needs to set a free agent deadline in the offseason as some have suggested. The posturing by both teams and Boras is bad for baseball. The hot stove, which I have loved, has turned into a wet puddle.

          Yes, SOME players control where they go, but I have heard stories on the radio how some guys take him on as an agent and just tell him to get the most money, and they don’t care where they go. Yes, it’s ultimately the player, but still he’s playing the game.

          2
          Reply
        • iverbure

          6 years ago

          Remember at Jake Arrieta press conference Boras basically said Arrieta shouldn’t be in Philly for that little of money. I can list numberous of things he’s said that rub people the wrong way. He’s very good at getting his players paid though. Not sure what why one thing has to do with the other. Aholes can be good agents. Great people who not jerks or aholes can be terrible agents.

          Reply
    • sethesq

      6 years ago

      I can’t hate on Boras anymore because no one puts a gun to the heads of these teams who end up paying a single player more than the GNP of some states and small countries

      I’m not here for any “why should the owners profit and not the players” debates because it’s pointless

      Anti-Trust protection/exemption means MLB can do anything it wants. It just mitigates the insane salaries via fans.

      Reply
  3. infield fly 2

    6 years ago

    I’d give him no more than $40-45 million over 3 years!

    Reply
    • rrddbb44

      6 years ago

      Robertson’s deal serves as a solid barometer for what Britton should get. I think $40MM over 3 years is too steep

      6
      Reply
    • Jbigz12

      6 years ago

      I wouldn’t give the current version of Zach Britton 45’million dollars. If he gets that he’s getting paid for Zach Britton of old. The guy has not looked like that guy at all since coming back.

      4
      Reply
  4. ChiSox_Fan

    6 years ago

    Not interested in Britton for Sox.

    Reply
  5. megaj

    6 years ago

    Despite the payroll restrictions, I am surprised that the Cubs aren’t in on Britton or Ottavino yet. Morrow is a better 8th inning guy who will be still recovering from surgery come April, so they badly need late inning relief. I guess nobody wants any part of Heyward’s contract which is what is holding up any possible moves at this point?

    1
    Reply
    • wrigleywannabe

      6 years ago

      Ottavino is a big risk.

      Britton has injury concerns, too, like Morrow.

      Of course, no one is taking that contract.

      Britton’s issue is the length of deal.

      Reply
      • megaj

        6 years ago

        I just can’t see them starting the season without getting one of these guys. Strop overachieved last season, and Edwards has the stuff but not the confidence to close. It is their most glaring weakness. CF seems to be the only other area really needs attention, but other than Pollock, there isn’t much out there unless they go the trade route. I think you are right about Britton’s asking price, but I don’t think Ottavino is as big a risk as people think. He didn’t just have a good year using the same stuff as before, he changed his approach and added a pitch to his repertoire.

        2
        Reply
        • Dan Bacon

          6 years ago

          I don’t think you can say that Strop overachieved per say, his FIP was a little bit inflated compared to previous seasons but the rest of his peripherals were very close to his norm since coming to Chicago. I’m sure most Cubs fans can agree that Britton although more expensive is deff better than Justin Wilson. 🙂

          1
          Reply
    • iverbure

      6 years ago

      You guess nobody wants any part of Hayward’s contract? Yes that’s a safe guess. Oh man that reminds someone yesterday actually said the jays should take Heyward and trade Martin away for him. That made me laugh uncontrollably for 2 mins.

      Reply
  6. Begamin

    6 years ago

    He is not the same dominant Britton as before but after DRob is gone he might be the most reliable reliever on the market.

    2
    Reply
    • Slevin

      6 years ago

      He doesn’t need to be, because he won’t be in the closers role.

      4
      Reply
      • dimitrios in la

        6 years ago

        At times I’m sure he will be.

        Reply
      • Houston We Have A Solution

        6 years ago

        If the yankees are paying what he’s asking for he needs to be their best weapon outside chapman in the pen.

        Reply
    • callingoutdummies247

      6 years ago

      Reliable??? The guy can’t stay on the field the last two years. How’s that reliable?

      2
      Reply
  7. Juggy

    6 years ago

    Yankees will sign Britton and Ottavino

    2
    Reply
  8. Yankeepatriot

    6 years ago

    The Yankees probably had to decide who is more worth giving a multi year deal to and Britton is probably their choice

    4
    Reply
    • Samuel

      6 years ago

      I think it’s Chapman driving this…..

      He’ll be a FA after 2019, and will ask for an even more exorbitant contract. If Britton is locked up, they can build the bullpen around him.

      The problem is that both Britton and Chapman have lingering physical issues that sideline them when the problems flare up.

      Neither one of them is a Mariano….as much as the Yankees would like them to be.

      Reply
      • Yankeepatriot

        6 years ago

        Chapman is under contract through 2022 unless he opts out

        Reply
        • Samuel

          6 years ago

          Yes……

          And if he’s healthy, he’ll opt out.

          If not, the Yankees will need a closer.

          Reply
      • stratcrowder

        6 years ago

        Nobody is a Mariano.

        Reply
  9. Idosteroids

    6 years ago

    Thought Markakis and Gausman were trying to get him to ATL?

    2
    Reply
    • bravesfan

      6 years ago

      Markakis would only do this if he’s expected to be playing in Atlanta next season. Lol until then, I’m sure he’s very quite about it

      2
      Reply
  10. bravesfan

    6 years ago

    Braves better be trying to get him, end of discussion

    Reply
    • harmoney101575

      6 years ago

      dont really care about britton…. OF is more important… love the idea of merrifield or gallo

      Reply
      • harmoney101575

        6 years ago

        could the braves be lurking to sign harper? =)

        Reply
        • bravesfan

          6 years ago

          I don’t think the braves are on the list for Harper in my opinion.

          Reply
      • bravesfan

        6 years ago

        Yea umm our bullpen was by far the worse part of our team last year from almost every angle. We need 2 or 3 bullpen guys that are solid. So OF is not more important, plus the market is flooded with decent players there.

        1
        Reply
      • tonydepalma

        6 years ago

        Gallo?!???? More K’s no way

        Reply
  11. Braves4Ever2025

    6 years ago

    Hope the Braves don’t get involved.

    Soon everyone will have their relievers and Kimbrel and ATL will be last man/team standing and reunite by default lol

    The universe wants it. Stop fighting it AA and Craig, just meet in the middle ground already

    1
    Reply
    • bravesfan

      6 years ago

      We need kimbrell and Britton honestly … that’s how bad our bullpen is and where we need to spend the money at

      Reply
      • Braves4Ever2025

        6 years ago

        They could use both but definitely won’t get both so I’m still more focused on Kimbrel as long as it remains a possibility no matter how slim

        1
        Reply
  12. Cali_Ry

    6 years ago

    Most likely= Yankees
    Darkhorse=Angels or Braves
    Contract= 3yr 40-42 mil

    Reply
    • JustOnePitch

      6 years ago

      I think you have things right, besides the contract. 3/36 is where the agent starts talking…

      2
      Reply
      • Pokeli

        6 years ago

        3/39 is the report

        Reply
  13. BStereo9

    6 years ago

    Serious question: why aren’t the Cubs in on Britton?
    I’m just curious and would like an actual answer-
    Is it a payroll thing? It seems to me like he’d be a huge help.

    4
    Reply
    • megaj

      6 years ago

      Like I said above, it is their most glaring need. They have been trying to move Heyward, but obviously they aren’t making it worth it to other teams because he is still a Cub. I actually like Ottavino’s stuff more than Britton’s, but not sure how he would do as a closer. It would definitely be good for Cubs to have a Morrow/Britton lefty/righty combo to finish games.

      Reply
      • harmoney101575

        6 years ago

        cubs arent getting any big name free agents… nobody is trading for heyward

        4
        Reply
  14. bucketbrew35

    6 years ago

    4 years?! LMAO!

    4
    Reply
  15. batty

    6 years ago

    Any contract over 2 years, a third as an option, on a reliever that isn’t elite is like playing roulette in a casino. I highly doubt Boras can get Britton a 4th year guaranteed. He should probably be looking at Miller & Robertson’s recent deals as the high end.

    Reply
  16. LosAngelesAngelesAngelesAngelsOfLosAngeles

    6 years ago

    I’m hoping the halos can sway either Britton or Ottavino.

    Reply
    • Adam6710

      6 years ago

      Why? They’re clearly not trying to win this season.

      Reply
  17. southpaw2153

    6 years ago

    Britton to Yanks. 3/39 with an option.

    1
    Reply
    • n13gmlb

      6 years ago

      I agree, maybe 3 years 13 first year, second year 14 and third year at 12+ incentives maybe make it top out at 14.5 or 15.

      1
      Reply
  18. n13gmlb

    6 years ago

    Sign him before you lose him too! Hahaha

    1
    Reply
  19. ericl

    6 years ago

    Does Britton want to be a closer? That’s the important question here. If he does, the Yankees aren’t an option because of Chapman. There are still opportunities for him to close out there.

    1
    Reply
  20. mack22 2

    6 years ago

    Love to see the Dodgers get him, but NOT four years

    2
    Reply
    • Hops

      6 years ago

      Give him a one year deal to try and get more money and years next offseason. Kenley Jansen is inconsistent, and they need a solid closer.

      Reply
      • Jbigz12

        6 years ago

        Brittons not taking a one year deal. He has a market now and with all his injury concerns and recent good but no where near elite performance if he’s getting offered 25+ million dollars he’d be an idiot not to take it.

        2
        Reply
  21. Hops

    6 years ago

    Athletics as a mystery team?

    Reply
  22. Judge Judy

    6 years ago

    Nobody outbids NY on a player. No one.

    1
    Reply
    • Jbigz12

      6 years ago

      WSN 1 NYY 0

      11
      Reply
  23. newyorkyankee7

    6 years ago

    Is Cashman on vacation? How do you let Robertson sign somewhere else for only 23 million gaureenteed? That being said this is the 2nd time Robertson has spurned the yanks in free agency. And he’s not even gonna be the closer in philly. When the 18 & 1/2 games out of the 2nd wild card and 24 games outta first place Phillies try to trade him at this years trade deadline, I hope the yanks stay away!!

    3
    Reply
  24. Bigtimeyankeefan

    6 years ago

    We need Britton and Ottavino … remember we lost Robertson and Britton plus apparently betances and chapman each have one month where they forget how to pitch… as far as us yankee fans wanting everyone… we are fans of the best sports team in the world so why not???

    2
    Reply
  25. Jbigz12

    6 years ago

    If the Yankees were seriously pushing the chips in they’d call up SF about Will Smith now. Offer up Loaisaiga or see if they’ll take Clint Frazier and one of their pitching prospects ranked 5-10 and make it happen. I don’t think we’re ever seeing Britton of old come back. Maybe I’m wrong but Will Smith currently is dominant and there’s no question about that.

    2
    Reply
    • GB85

      6 years ago

      He was great in I Am Legend but Suicide Squad was kind of a flop…

      6
      Reply
    • MahatmaGagne

      6 years ago

      Funny how Yankees fans think that anyone wants that stumblebum Clint Frazier lol

      Reply
      • Jbigz12

        6 years ago

        Frazier would be the best outfielder on the Giants tomorrow. Concussion issues are a the issue right now. But yeah LOL LMFAO

        6
        Reply
    • newyorkyankee7

      6 years ago

      Don’t know who he is but if he’s a relief pitcher forget it not for the haul your asking. Yankees will just go in house if that’s the case

      Reply
      • Jbigz12

        6 years ago

        Loaisiaga isn’t a haul. He’s likely a reliever himself with his slight frame.

        1
        Reply
        • stratcrowder

          6 years ago

          Said Roy Oswalt.

          Reply
        • Jbigz12

          6 years ago

          Yeah, always good to cherrypick one example. Said 99% of 5’10 165 lb right handlers.

          1
          Reply
    • Randia

      6 years ago

      Only giant is consider is Bumgarner.The rest of their players can’t handle NY

      Reply
  26. mike156

    6 years ago

    Going more than 2 years for Britton is foolish. He hasn’t proved he’s returned to form of 2016. I believe the Yankees are “focussed” on the bullpen, but think Heyman may be doing a little excess heavy breathing.

    2
    Reply
  27. Bert17

    6 years ago

    My hope was the the Red Sox would go for Britton And Robertson and get them both for less than Kimbrel is going to get. Now it’s looking like they’re getting neither.

    Reply
  28. Rich Hill’s Elbow

    6 years ago

    I really thought the Twins we’re gonna be in on Britton considering they don’t have closer, but I guess not…

    1
    Reply
  29. elvis26

    6 years ago

    Britton will go to cards!!!!!

    Reply
    • Lance Wilson

      6 years ago

      Thankyou for understanding !!!!!

      Reply
      • Jesse Cook

        6 years ago

        A fellow Cardinals fan myself, unfortunately they won’t go after Britton to compliment Miller in the pen. They’re done spending money this off season though they made a TON of it this past season.

        Reply
  30. GarryHarris

    6 years ago

    I believe I predicted this.

    Reply
  31. Android Dawesome

    6 years ago

    Seems like the Yankees treat the free agent market like most teams play the draft. You never draft based off of need you just go after the best players on the board and sort it out later.

    1
    Reply
    • Willy Mays

      6 years ago

      Reading these comments I’m convinced people haven’t been watching the Yankees and baseball for about 5 years. People here keep talking about how the Yankees are always big players in free agency.I’m a Yankee fan.Please tell me all the big free agent signings the Yankees have made in recent years.If we’ve made them how come I don’t see them on the field

      2
      Reply
      • allthesingledigitsgone

        6 years ago

        I agree. The Yankees have been very restrained in the FA market since ellsbury, mccan

        Reply
        • Android Dawesome

          6 years ago

          Sorry, I think my comment was a little misunderstood. I wasnt really saying it as bad thing. I feel like their moves have been fairly smart.

          Reply
        • iverbure

          6 years ago

          Yankees took on over 250 mil in future payroll with Stanton last year it was effectively a free agent signing. But yes sense George’s son took over the Yankees haven’t been as reckless with payroll, last year they had to get under the Lux tax and still made the Stanton move.

          1
          Reply
      • Randia

        6 years ago

        People forget Robertson and Britton were both yankees. What’s wrong with resigning your own players? NOTHING. The truth is its all jealousy. I’m a Met fan and I can see it, why not call it what it is? I could see fans being upset with them signing another teams player, but other than that it’s all jealousy

        Reply
      • n13gmlb

        6 years ago

        We would have to go back to McCann, Tanaka, Beltrán… Ignore the Ellsbury deal hahahaha

        Reply
  32. Lance Wilson

    6 years ago

    The Yanks are not into Zach they want Machado more

    Reply
  33. iverbure

    6 years ago

    I’d be comfortable giving Britton the same deal as Robertson but with further incentives specifically to guard against opener usage and saves. Now if he signs with the Yankees probably don’t need the opener usage protection but he needs the saves protection. If Chapman goes down and they turn to Britton and he racks up a bunch of saves than he should make more money. Not sure what incentives are allowed but something like 100k for every save seems fair. All deals should be incentive laden deals

    Reply
  34. timewalk42

    6 years ago

    I can’t believe the Rays has everyone using the term “opener “ …ridiculous…can we stop the nonsense

    Reply
  35. nitemare

    6 years ago

    No to Britton. He was horrible for the Yankees.. so bad they couldn’t use him as closer and instead went to even worse betances as close

    Reply
    • Yankeepatriot

      6 years ago

      He actually wasn’t horrible and the stats speak for thenself

      Reply
  36. beuff

    6 years ago

    Britton is totally over rated and so is Robertson.
    As a SOX fan… they would be better than quite a few arms to “have” available.., but literally were punching bags in big spots..
    Why is everyone so obsessed with Britton?
    He’s ok.

    Reply

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