Chicago Cubs Rumors: Is team looking to buy low on O’s Zach Britton?

Chicago Cubs: Remember the Jake Arrieta trade?

Everyone remembers the Jake Arrieta deal. Who am I kidding. The Cubs gave up next to nothing in exchange for eventual an Cy Young winner and one of the best shutdown relievers in the game. Although Arrieta has since moved on, Pedro Strop remains as a reminder to the Orioles’ front office.

Since joining the Cubs, Strop never put up an earned run average higher than 2.91. His swing-and-miss stuff quickly made him one of Chicago’s most lethal weapons in the bullpen. This season? No exception.

The right-hander enters the All-Star Break with a 2.35 ERA and 2.91 FIP across 38 1/3 innings of work. He’s cut down his walks and maintained his strikeout abilities, making him a key stabilizer for manager Joe Maddon’s bullpen.

Despite what people say about him (and if you criticize someone for how they wear a hat, quit reading now because I have nothing more to say to you), he’s one of the most reliable arms in the league – and has been for the last half decade.

So, make no mistake. Baltimore hasn’t forgotten this deal and the subsequent consequences. But would this trade impact a Cubs-Orioles deal in the coming weeks? Probably not. I suspect the O’s will dot their ‘i’s and cross their ‘t’s in any talks with Theo and Jed, though.