New York Improves Their Bullpen With The Acquisition Of Zach Britton

Going from a team that is in last place in the American League East to a team that is in contention in the division. 

The Yankees acquired Orioles closer Zach Britton on Tuesday for right-handers Dillon Tate , who is the Yanks' No.9- ranked prospect, and Cody Carroll, who's ranked No. 15, and Triple-A left-hander Josh Rogers. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-from-orioles/c-287154688

Any time you can add to a strength, cover up a weakness or whatever, when you can add good players to your team, obviously that's a good thing," said manager Aaron Boone. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-from-orioles/c-287154688

The Yankees will pick up the remaining salary owed to Britton on the deal, as the O's make a rare intradivision trade to help jump-start their rebuild. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-f

"Right now, I'm just excited to get on a winning team and hopefully do some good things," said Britton. "If you have a chance to chase a World Series ring, which obviously they do, it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-from-orioles/c-287154688

It's the first time the division rivals have made an in-season deal since July 1989, when the Yanks acquired right-hander John Habyan in exchange for outfielder Stan Jefferson. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-from-orioles/c-287154688

The Yankees acquired Tate -- the fourth overall selection by the Rangers in 2015 -- as part of the package that sent Carlos Beltran to Texas during the summer of 2016. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-from-orioles/c-287154688

Britton, who returned from an Achilles injury earlier this season, had a 3.45 ERA over 16 appearances (15 2/3 innings) for Baltimore. Last season, he had a 2.89 ERA over 38 appearances prior to the injury. Britton had a historic 2016 campaign, in which he posted a 0.54 ERA with 47 saves. He is due to be a free agent after this season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-from-orioles/c-287154688

The Yanks feature the Majors' best bullpen in terms of ERA (2.75) and opponents' batting average (.199). Despite having the Majors' best offense and third-best record, New York is five games back of Boston in the American League East. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-from-orioles/c-287154688

Adding Britton to a relief corps that already includes closer Aroldis Chapman -- as well as late-inning stalwarts Dellin Betances , Jonathan Holder and David Roberson -- could bolster New York's chances in capturing its first AL East title since 2012. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-from-orioles/c-287154688

"Having the opportunity to add someone like that with so much talent would be very helpful to us," Chapman said through a translator. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-from-orioles/c-287154688

Said catcher Austin Romine: "Just adds to the long list of guys coming out of our bullpen that are nasty." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-from-orioles/c-287154688

Tate, 24, has a 3.38 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in 15 starts for Double-A Trenton this season. In 13 starts between Class A Advanced Tampa (nine starts) and Trenton (four) last season, the right-hander posted a 2.81 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-acquire-zach-britton-from-orioles/c-287154688