Tampa Bay Rays: Possible Chris Archer trade destinations

Chicago Cubs

Many won’t remember the time Archer spent in the Chicago Cubs’ farm system. Originally acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Indians which involved Mark DeRosa, the Cubs shipped Archer to the Tampa Bay Rays a few years before he’d crack the big leagues. It’s one of the few trades in the last ten years the Cubs probably regret most.

Now with two All-Star selections under his belt, it’s possible Archer returns to the Cubs a new man. The Southsiders don’t seem ready to re-sign Jake Arrieta so they will look elsewhere to fill the void. It doesn’t quite make sense to spend big on another free agent pitcher, although it’s not entirely unreasonable. So, let’s consider them making a trade for Archer.

Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon is already familiar with Archer during his days with the Rays. As we’ve seen with the Cubs, they are big on getting “their guys” back. So, this was a reason why Ben Zobrist ended up with the Cubs and why Theo Epstein targeted Jon Lester.

As far as what it would take to acquire Archer, the obvious candidates to include are Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ, and Albert Almora. Likely, two of these and one lesser prospect is at the least the beginning of a deal if not the complete package. Archer’s team-friendly contract through 2021 with affordable buyouts are going to raise his price tag. If there’s any specific player the Tampa Bay Rays desire in the Cubs’ system, they aren’t about to trade Archer without him included in a deal.