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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 teams who should target Chris Archer

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 13: Chris Archer #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays in action against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on September 13, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 3-2. The two teams were scheduled to play in St. Petersburg, Florida but due to the weather emergency caused by Hurricane Irma, the game was moved to New York, but with Tampa Bay remaining the 'home' team. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 13: Chris Archer #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays in action against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on September 13, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 3-2. The two teams were scheduled to play in St. Petersburg, Florida but due to the weather emergency caused by Hurricane Irma, the game was moved to New York, but with Tampa Bay remaining the 'home' team. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 13: Chris Archer #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays in action against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on September 13, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 3-2. The two teams were scheduled to play in St. Petersburg, Florida but due to the weather emergency caused by Hurricane Irma, the game was moved to New York, but with Tampa Bay remaining the ‘home’ team. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 13: Chris Archer #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays in action against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on September 13, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 3-2. The two teams were scheduled to play in St. Petersburg, Florida but due to the weather emergency caused by Hurricane Irma, the game was moved to New York, but with Tampa Bay remaining the ‘home’ team. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

4. Los Angeles Dodgers

Depth has been the name of the game when it comes to starting pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, after dumping Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir on the Atlanta Braves, the stockpile of arms has taken a hit. The Dodgers don’t have a pressing need to add another starter, but they are an injury or two away from having a very average rotation.

Hyun-jin Ryu and Kenta Maeda are currently penciled in at the back end of the Dodgers rotation. After missing nearly two full seasons to injury, Ryu bounced back and made 24 solid starts in 2017. He did sport a bloated FIP of 4.74 and allowed 22 home runs. Maeda also struggled with the longball in his second season in the big leagues and saw his ERA climb from 3.48 as a rookie to 4.22 in 2017. He rebounded to pitch very well out of the bullpen in the playoffs and may have a better future as a multi-inning reliever.

Right-hander Walker Buehler should be an untouchable name for the Dodgers, but the rest of their top-ten prospects could be in play for the Rays. Alex Verdugo, for example, has hit very well at every level of the minor leagues, but has his path to a full-time job in the big leagues blocked. Yusniel Diaz is another young outfielder who has impressed at Double-A. Another interesting name to consider is Julio Urias, who is still an intriguing prospect despite his injury history.

The Rays and Dodgers made a big trade last winter with Logan Forsythe going to Los Angeles. They are a match again with Chris Archer on the block. The Dodgers have an elite farm system and incentive to make another push for the World Series in 2018 before Clayton Kershaw can opt out of his contract. Their ace is still likely to test the open market one way or another, but trading for a cheaper option like Archer instead of pursuing a reunion with Yu Darvish makes it much easier to afford the $35-40 million Kershaw is likely to command as a free agent.

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