The 2017 offseason has been wild thus far and many top pitchers have changed addresses since the season ended. There were a lot of rumors of trades for big name pitchers this offseason, namely Chris Archer and Gerrit Cole, so the interest in trades slowed the process a bit on the free agent market. Teams were also assessing what was available with free agent relievers, as competitive teams have moved moreso to top relievers than ace starting pitchers to win. While there were factors that slow[...]

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer felt the best he has all spring after his outing Thursday. He allowed five hits and two runs in three innings. However, he felt the best he has and was especially happy with his changeup. He has struck out 734 batters over the past three seasons, but he has not won more than 12 games in any year and went 10-12 last season with a 4.07 ERA. He is a high SP2 who could become an SP1 if he can find a way to win more than 12 games for the first time in his [...]

This article references and more! Tampa Bay Rays GM Erik Neander told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times on Tuesday that he does not anticipate a further teardown of the roster. This offseason the Rays have traded Evan Longoria, Jake Odorizzi, Steven Souza, and Brad Boxberger, and they also designated Corey Dickerson for assignment last weekend, but that may be the end of the subtractions for a while. "Extremely unlikely," said Neander when asked about the possibility of spring training trades involving Chris Archer, Kevin Kierm[...]Keep on reading: Rays Unlikely To Make More Trades

This article references Chris Archer and more! Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer has been a part of trade rumors and LaVelle Neal of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune links Archer to the Twins. The club made a trade offer as recently as two weeks ago, a source confirmed. Tampa Bay has some interest in outfielder Max Kepler as part of any package for Archer. Kepler, who turned 25 Saturday, batted .243 last season with 19 homers and 69 RBI. Archer, 29, is 51-63 during his six year career. He has struck out 734 batters over the past three[...]Keep on reading: Chris Archer A Target For Twins

This article references Chris Archer and more! Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer has been linked to trades all winter and, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Brewers have had recent contact with Tampa Bay about Archer. According to Rosenthal, though, a deal would appear unlikely. He points out that Tampa Bay might not view Domingo Santana or Brett Phillips as enough of a centerpiece for a controllable ace. There is also the fact that Milwaukee might not want to cut deeper into its farm system after Christian Yelich[...]Keep on reading: Chris Archer Linked To Deal With Brewers

This article references Chris Archer and more! Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer could be a logical target for the Milwaukee Brewers, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Morosi said that the Brewers would like to trade Domingo Santana for the Rays' ace straight up, but, according to Morosi, that is not an offer that the Rays would accept. Yesterday, Archer commented on his future, saying, "I've talked to (GM) Erik (Neander) a lot and he's made me feel pretty good about being with the Rays in 2018." Archer has mostly been lin[...]Keep on reading: Chris Archer Would Make Sense For Brewers

This article references Chris Archer and more! Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer feels confident that he won't be traded before the start of the season. "I've talked to (GM) Erik (Neander) a lot and he's made me feel pretty good about being with the Rays in 2018," Archer said. Archer has mostly been linked to the Cardinals this offseason, but it looks like he may stay put as an affordable ace for the Rays. The right-hander went 10-12 in 2017 with a 4.07 ERA, 1.25 [...]Keep on reading: Chris Archer Doesn't Expect To Be Traded

This article references Chris Archer and more! Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer was said to be packaged with relief pitcher Alex Colome in a trade to the Cardinals, but Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals' trade talks with the Rays "appear to have centered on" Archer rather than Colome. Colome has been connected to the Cards often this winter, but it sounds like Archer was actually more of interest to them among Rays pitchers. Of course, Archer is also going to cost a bunch more in a trade and [...]Keep on reading: Chris Archer Still A Target For Cardinals

This article references Chris Archer and more! Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer may be tough to move according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (paid article). Archer, 29, is under control for the next four seasons at a cost of $33.75 million. According to Rosental, one agent cites the long-term deals for Archer, Madison Bumgarner and Paul Goldschmidt as the most club-friendly in the history of the game, making it tough for the Rays to get full value on their ace. Archer was only 10-12 with a 4.07 ERA in 2017, and was 9-19 in 2016, but ha[...]Keep on reading: Chris Archer May Be Tough To Move