Orioles closer Zach Britton is the top reliever available on the trade market, and the likelihood of Baltimore dealing him prior to today's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline is growing.
An unnamed evaluator told ESPN's Buster Olney, "I'd be shocked if [Britton] doesn't move." According to Olney, the O's "have been purposefully leaning toward" moving the dominant left-hander.
The Dodgers and Astros are two contenders that have expressed strong interest in the lefty, who is making $11.4 million this season and will be a free agent following the 2018 season. He has a 3.32 ERA and eight saves in 19 innings for the Orioles this year. The 29-year-old missed more than two months with forearm issues and has allowed six earned runs in 10 frames (5.40 ERA) since returning.
Sources told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi that the Astros are talking with the O's about Britton, but that it's been difficult for clubs to get a read on Baltimore's intentions.

Parts of the Dodgers' organization also seem to be focusing in on acquiring "a wipeout left-handed reliever," per Olney. Britton, who has converted 57 straight saves (the second-longest streak in Major League history behind Eric Gagne's 84 from 2002-04), certainly fits that bill.
Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com also reports the Indians are in on the chase to acquire Britton. Per Hoynes, Cleveland is "pushing hard" to obtain Britton to pair him with left-hander Andrew Miller since the club lost lefty Boone Logan to injury earlier in July.
The Indians, per MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal, were trying to get righty Addison Reed from the Mets before he was dealt to Boston. Now, Cleveland is upping the ante, looking to pry Britton from Baltimore.