Tampa Bay Rays: Did the Rays wait too long to move Chris Archer?
Chris Archer has been a premium trade target for the past few seasons. Now, as they await the results of his MRI, the Tampa Bay Rays may have missed their opportunity to get the biggest possible return for him.
Seldom has there been a team in need of starting pitching that hasn’t been connected to Chris Archer since around 2015. The Rays have been drowning in the AL East and a commitment to a full rebuild has felt imminent in Tampa Bay for years. But have they waited too long to get the best value of their greatest MLB asset?
Archer’s downward trend
In his first few years in the majors, Archer looked like he was on track to become a legit top of the rotation pitcher. His ERA was in the low threes, he was striking out a lot of hitters while walking very few. But in 2015—right around when the trade rumors were getting loud—that started to change.
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His ERA climbed north of four in 2015 and hasn’t gotten back under since. In 2016 he lost a career high 19 games. And now Archer is slated for an MRI on his groin on Monday which could further damage his trade value.
The Tampa Bay Rays may have gotten the value of a true ace if they’d acted sooner. But now, it’s hard to imagine suitors would be willing to spend more than they would for a 2-3 starter.
The missed opportunities
In much of the Chris Archer trade talks, it seemed inevitable that he’d end up in the NL Central. The Cubs looked poised to go in on him in 2015 when they opted to trade for Dan Haren, and again in 2016 when Aroldis Chapman ended up as their big deadline move. In 2017 both the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cubs seemed in need of starting pitching and naturally Archer’s name was bounced around quite a bit once more. The Cubs landed Jose Quintana while the Brewers stayed quiet.
However, the Brewers very well could be looking for a Chris Archer again as the deadline nears. In 2017 they failed to make a big deadline addition and the Cubs were able to chip away at their five game lead and take the division.
Next: Rays top 10 prospects for 2018
Chris Archer trade rumors, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the MLB trade deadline have built a grander union than the one between Noah Syndergaard and Mrs. Met. That isn’t bound to change in 2018. But the Rays may have missed their chance to get top value for him.