Baltimore Orioles Could Feature Several Trade Options in the Bullpen
By Nate Wardle
Brad Brach
A quick search for trade rumors on Brach reveals a whole lot of nothing, which is surprising.
No, Brach has not been very effective as a closer. Sometimes, the pressure just gets to a guy. However, he has been a solid, dependable reliever.
In fact, you can go back to when he was still with San Diego in 2012 and pitched in 67 games. Brach has never had an ERA higher than 3.86, which is his ERA in 2018. His career ERA is 3.06. That’s good.
Brach’s time in Baltimore reached a peak in 2016, when he made the All-Star game as a setup man and finished with a 10-4 record with a 2.05 ERA in 71 games. It was an excellent season.
Brach does not allow a ton of home runs, with his high since coming to Baltimore being seven in 2015, 2016 and 2017. He has a consistent strikeout per walk ratio around 2.4, although it is lower this year. Brach had two seasons, 2015 and 2016, where his WAR was above 2.0.
Where could Brach fit in?
A lot of places. He could fit in on any of the teams mentioned for Britton. He could also fit in as a solid right-handed reliever for a number of other contenders. The Chicago Cubs have had some holes in their bullpen lately. The Braves bullpen isn’t strong, and they certainly have prospects to return.
No, I doubt any contender would make Brach their closer, although the Phillies would probably turn to him in a save situation down the stretch rather than the host of youngsters they are currently using.
But, Brach would be a steady, calming presence in the bullpen. The other key part is his durability. He has been healthy, and like it or not, Buck Showalter goes to great lengths to keep his bullpen from getting overworked.
Chance he is traded: 75%