Chris Archer and Marcell Ozuna, two of the best players in Florida, could be on the way out of the Sunshine State before the MLB trade deadline.
As the July 31 MLB trade deadline approaches, we will be taking a regular look at some of the biggest names that could be moved.
Chris Archer, RHP, Rays
If the Rays make Archer available, he will be the most coveted player on the trade market. The Cubs want him. The Yankees consider him the “Holy Grail” of arms. The Astros already have tried and failed to land him.
It isn’t hard to see why the Rays’ ace is so in demand. He’s just 28, is one of the most durable and consistent pitchers in the game and is under contract through 2021. He comes with fewer question marks than, say, Sonny Gray or Gerrit Cole.
Archer is 5-4 with a 3.75 ERA and 122 strikeouts in a league-leading 15 starts this season.
The question, then, is will he be traded? Right now, the Rays are tied for the second wild-card spot in the American League with a record just above .500. Would they trade their best pitcher under those circumstances?
With most teams, the answer would be an emphatic “no.” But these are the small-market Rays, who have never been shy about dealing veteran pitchers for top prospects (Archer himself came to Tampa Bay in a trade that sent Matt Garza to the Cubs).
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: Archer makes all kinds of the sense for the Cubs, who want to land a pitcher to help them this year and beyond (Jake Arrieta and John Lackey are likely gone via free agency this offseason).
But the price for Chicago would be high. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan says the Cubs would need to deal super prospect Eloy Jimenez to get Archer. Yes, the same Eloy Hernandez who just went full Roy Hobbs in batting practice.
Expect the Yankees, Astros and Dodgers, all of whom have plenty of prospects, to be in on Archer as well.
Marcell Ozuna, OF, Marlins
The Marlins are listening to offers on everyone, and they are sure to get plenty of interest in the 26-year-old Ozuna.
The All-Star outfielder is having an excellent year at the plate (.327/.395/.582, 18 home runs) and is likely to be one of the best bats available at the deadline, along with the likes of J.D. Martinez, Andrew McCutchen and Lorenzo Cain.
On top of that, Ozuna is under team control through 2019, so any team acquiring him is getting more than a rental.
Ozuna is represented by Scott Boras, meaning Miami’s chances of working out an extension are practically nil. The team’s farm system is among the worst in the game. Add it all up and the Marlins should trade Ozuna now, while his value is at an all-time high.
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOT: The Cardinals, who need a middle-of-the-order bat, have been linked to Ozuna. St. Louis has the prospects to get a deal done, but will it pull the trigger in a year in which a playoff run seems unlikely?
Drew Storen, RP, Reds
Veteran relief pitchers are always in demand at the deadline, which is why the Reds signed former closer Storen in the first place. They almost certainly will flip him to some team looking to bolster its bullpen.
Storen has been solid, if unspectacular, for the Reds. His velocity is down and his peripherals indicate he has been somewhat lucky (2.45 ERA vs. 3.82 FIP).
Still, he’s pitched well enough that a contender will be willing to part with a second-tier prospect for a Storen rental.
Next: Will Gerrit Cole, Eric Hosmer, David Robertson be traded?
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: Would the Nationals be open to a reunion with their long-time closer? They certainly need the help, and they wouldn’t be making a long-term commitment.
The Yankees also could use a reliable bullpen arm, based on recent results.