(WFAN) The Cubs were among six teams to attend free-agent reliever Zack Britton's recent showcase, according to reports.
The Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Angels and Rangers were in attendance, according to Ken Rosenthal of the athletic. The Mets were also there, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported.
This was the second showcase of the winter for the lefty Britton, 35, who missed almost all of 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He made it back for three appearances with the Yankees in September, where he was wholly ineffective, allowing one run on one hit and six walks in just 2/3 innings.
Britton was placed back on the inured list with arm fatigue and missed the Yankees’ postseason run, but prior to his tough 2022, he was one of the best relievers in the league, posting a 2.03 ERA and saving 154 games in 391 appearances for the Orioles and Yankees from 2014-'21.
Beyond the stats, Britton is noted as a great clubhouse presence, one who has spent time on the MLB Players Association board and is also a strong liaison between the union and the players. He had expressed interest in wanting to remain a Yankee, but it seems as if the Bombers may have moved on.
The Mets, meanwhile, could reunite him with Buck Showalter, who managed Britton in Baltimore (and infamously left him in the bullpen in a wild-card game loss). The Mets seem to have a preference for adding relievers with options behind the five arms who will make up the back end of their bullpen but could make an exception to add Britton.
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter @LouDiPietroWFAN.
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