MLB Trade Rumors: Chris Archer to the Chicago Cubs?

Could the Chicago Cubs bring Chris Archer in to help a struggling starting rotation?

Back in 2011, the Chicago Cubs dealt Chris Archer as a part of a package to acquire, among others, starting pitcher Matt Garza. Six years later, could the Cubs bring Archer back as a way to help boost their struggling starting rotation?

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It would certainly make some sense. John Lackey has an ERA close to 5.00. Jake Arrieta is in his walk year and has seen his ERA spike to over 4.00. Kyle Hendricks is hurt. Brett Anderson is hurt and had an ERA over 8.00. So yes, you could say the Cubs could use a starter.

The Tampa Bay Rays ace would make some sense. He’s signed through 2019 with a club option at $9 million for 2020 and $11 million for 2021 which is extremely team friendly considering the price of free agent pitching.

So what would it take for the Cubs to get Archer from the competing Tampa Bay Rays? Well, it would be a very big piece.

Eloy Jimenez is the Cubs number one prospect according to MLBpipeline.com. He’s third among outfielders and eighth overall. There would probably be another big piece or two going from the Cubs, but Jimenez will be the main piece going for Archer.

For the Rays, they can call up Blake Snell or Brent Honeywell to take Archer’s spot in the rotation, however, it would not make that much sense to move him quite yet unless the team starts to fall off in a very crowded American League wild card race.

For the Cubs, it could potentially give them the arm to give them an extra push past the Milwaukee Brewers and back on top of the National League Central.

Archer led the American League in losses last season with 19, but part of that is on the Rays not being a good team last season. This year, he’s off to a 5-4 start with a 3.75 ERA and a 2.88 FIP.

Next: Should the Cardinals be sellers?

If the Rays end up falling out of the race, I think the arm they deal would be Alex Cobb not Archer considering his contract. Cobb will be a free agent after the season, and the Rays are unlikely to pay him considering the rotation depth they have. However, you wouldn’t get a piece like Jimenez back for someone like Cobb.

Keep an eye on this as we get closer and closer to the trade deadline. If the Rays fall out and the Cubs are in it for the NL Central, this is easily something the Cubs could consider.