Baltimore Orioles: Brad Brach could be used as a trade chip

The Baltimore Orioles plan to be active during Hot Stove season. And Orioles GM Dan Duquette could use Brad Brach as a potential trade chip.

The Baltimore Orioles are currently on the fence on whether to trade or extend Zach Britton. But if the Orioles decide they want to keep Britton, they have another player they could trade to fill a roster need.

Brad Brach isn’t nearly the pitcher Britton was last season. But most teams could use a pitcher like him in their bullpen. Why, though? Why would teams want Brach when they could have Britton or even Darren O’Day?

With the free agent market scarce, Brach would help fill the holes behind the plate and in the leadoff spot. Matt Wieters is slated to head to the free agent market while the Orioles used Adam Jones in the leadoff spot during the second half of the season. While it helped the Orioles get to the Wild Card game, it didn’t solve their leadoff troubles going into next season.

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The biggest reliever names on the market this offseason are Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon. Wade Davis has a $10 Million option with the Kansas City Royals. But should the Royals choose not to exercise the option, Davis would join the free agent market.

The Orioles can afford to keep Brach, Britton and O’Day going into next season. But they won’t be able to in two years when O’Day will make an estimated $9 Million in arbitration and Britton becomes a free agent.

Brach came to the Orioles in a trade three seasons ago with the San Diego Padres, where he honed his craft as a bullpen weapon. Brach suffered knee issues in 2016 which resulted in him undergoing minor surgery.

Keeping Brach, who is slated to make $2.9 Million in arbitration this season, wouldn’t be a terrible move on the Orioles part. However, the Orioles proved in the past they could develop relievers. Not to mention trading Brach could bring back prospects, which could bolster the Orioles depleted farm system.

Next: Orioles should extend qualifying offer to Matt Wieters

In his last three seasons with the Orioles, Brach went 22-6 with a 2.61 ERA. And his dominance with the Orioles could result in the front office getting an offer they can’t refuse.