Zack

Britton

Britton drew some interest last spring, but no team appeared willing to offer him much of a guarantee after he struggled upon rushing back from Tommy John surgery at the end of 2022. The former Orioles closer had one of the greatest relief seasons of all-time in 2016, finishing with a 0.54 ERA and 47 saves for Baltimore. It was the end of a three-season run in which he sinkerballed his way to a 1.38 ERA and 120 saves over 209 innings. He was often injured after that, managing just one more full season in 2019. The two-time All-Star wraps up his career with a 3.13 ERA and 154 saves in 442 appearances. Taking out the 48 starts from the beginning of his career leaves him with a 2.03 ERA as a reliever.

Heyman writes that his velocity of 91-92 mph is preventing the Mets from offering more, so there’s a gap in talks. Britton, 34, has made just 45 relief appearances over the past three seasons due to injury.

Heyman adds that the Mets were among those 10 teams. Clearly, the Mets could use an experienced high-leverage reliever after losing several relievers, in addition to All-Star closer Edwin Díaz, to injury recently. However, it’s unclear whether the Mets are interested in signing Britton or merely covering their bases, so to speak. The 34-year-old lefty has made just 45 relief appearances over the last three seasons due to injury.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports that the Giants, Angels, Dodgers, Cubs and Rangers were also present at the workout. Reports have had the Mets hesitant to bring in another unoptionable reliever, even though they would certainly like to add a second quality lefty to go along with Brooks Raley. Britton isn’t a sure thing after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2021 and suffering a setback with his shoulder as he tried to rush back last year, but the former Orioles closer has a history of outstanding results.

Nightengale adds that the Angels interest is tied to Britton’s price tag dropping from the $9 million he’s apparently seeking in negotiations. The 34-year-old southpaw, who has been limited to just 45 relief appearances over the last three seasons due to injury, is among a group of several talented left-handed relievers that are somehow languishing on the open market with spring training rapidly approaching.

Heyman reiterates that the Mets are a possibility for the veteran reliever as they seek another lefty arm out of their bullpen. Andrew Chafin is also a possibility for New York. As for the 34-year-old Britton, he made just three appearances with the Yankees last season due to shoulder and elbow issues. It’s unclear how he looked in the recent throwing sessions, but it makes sense that he’d generate interest given his track record.

The 34-year-old southpaw was once considered one of the most dominant closers in all of baseball -- while Mets’ skipper Buck Showalter was at the helm of the Orioles. Britton made just three appearances and recorded only two outs for the Yankees during the 2022 season due to shoulder and elbow issues.

Rosenthal adds that Britton should be ready to pitch in spring training and is seeking a one-year contract. The 34-year-old southpaw made just three appearances for the Yankees last September before being shut down with left shoulder fatigue. He’s been limited to just 45 relief appearances over the last three seasons due to injury.

The decision to put Britton on the 60-day injured list eliminates him from contention for a spot on the Yankees’ postseason roster and effectively ends his season. The 34-year-old veteran left-hander was pulled on Friday from just his third appearance of the season for the Yankees due to left arm fatigue. He’s been limited to just 45 relief appearances over the last three seasons due to injury and will be a free agent this offseason.

Given how it looked, that’s about the best news that the Yankees could have received that it wasn’t something more serious. It’s not yet clear how long he’ll be sidelined, but Britton shouldn’t be looking at any sort of extended absence.