The MLB free-agent market won't be stacked with top-end starting pitchers this offseason, meaning teams looking to bolster their rotation might turn to trades. One player certain to garner interest in that regard is Tampa Bay Rays starter Chris Archer.
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Braves Showing Interest in Archer
Tuesday, Nov. 8
The Atlanta Braves have had discussions with the Rays regarding Archer, 28, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution added that Archer would be a great, though expensive, addition to the Braves:
A few things may make an Archer trade unlikely, however.
For one, coming off a down season, Archer's value may be lower than it would have been in years past. Archer started 33 games for the Rays this season, going 9-19 with a 4.02 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 233 strikeouts in 201.1 innings pitched.
Archer pitched more innings, had more strikeouts and a lower ERA and WHIP in 2015, however, and he's unlikely to garner the same sort of value on the market as he would have last offseason.
But Archer is also under club control through at least 2019, according to Spotrac.com, with club options for the 2020-21 seasons. He's due just $4.9 million next year, $6.4 million in 2018 and $7.6 million in 2019, with the club options being worth $8.2 million.
In other words, Archer is incredibly affordable for several years to come. The Rays will likely need to be blown away with a deal to move him, which may not come after he regressed slightly in 2016.
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