I don't think it is good gamble to sign players with the intent to flip them at a later date. I think that, in today's market, you don't get much back and you run the risk of having to pay the player for their entire contract.
I don't think Britton was a good candidate for that approach.
That's a reason to pay market value for one, not a reason to trade good players to pay market value for one.
I don't think Britton, a Boras client, would have given the O's a below market deal.
Hardy, Davis, O'Day, Roberts, and Trumbo all say hi!
Why would you think that other teams would be willing to trade "real prospects" for a guy making market value? Or do you think he would have cut the O's a deal? I've seen no evidence to support that theory.