MLB Trade rumors: Chris Archer sweepstakes leaders emerging

We’re just two days away from MLB’s trade deadline, and MLB trade rumors are heating up.

Both buyers and sellers are getting caught up in the hullabaloo of widespread MLB trade rumors, and one of the bigger names floating around is Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer.

The 29-year old Archer has a 4.31 ERA on the season, though his peripheral stats look better (3.62 FIP, per Fangraphs) and he has developed the reputation as a strong pitcher over the last few seasons.

Since 2014, Archer has never had a season in which he didn’t accumulate at least 3.0 WAR or throw at least 194 innings. He was also named to the All-Star team in both 2015 and 2017.

And those numbers come while playing in arguably the most difficult division for a starting pitcher: the American League East.

What would probably most appeal to teams about Archer, though, is his contract.

Archer is set to make $7.5 MM in 2019, and $8.25 MM in both 2020 and 2021.

These costs come well below the current market value for a top or even middle-rotation piece through free agency, and the years of control certainly have to be enticing for prospective buyers.

And it seems as though some of those buyers are emerging as the frontrunners.

Marc Tompkin of the Tampa Bay Times came out late Saturday with a report that specified three teams above the others that are “considered the most interested” in Archer’s services.

Luckily for the Rays and their understandably-high asking price, the three teams all have elite farm systems.

Here’s a look at those alleged frontrunners.