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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) /

2. Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins have not kept their hopes to sign a top starting pitcher this winter a secret. They have aggressively pursued Yu Darvish, and are believed to have made him a five-year offer. Were Darvish to pick the Twins over his other suitors, it would be the first nine-figure deal the club has given a free agent.

Seeing the Twins rebound from a 100-loss season to make the Wild Card Game in 2017 was one of the biggest surprises in the league, but they still don’t stand out as a team capable of spending over $100 million on a risky investment for a starting pitcher in his thirties with a history of elbow trouble.

Trading for a starter might be an easier path for the Twins than overpaying for Darvish or fellow free agent Jake Arrieta. With six players on Baseball America’s top-100 prospects list, the Twins certainly have the pieces to dangle to get themselves to the bargaining table with the Rays. Shortstop Royce Lewis figures to be the only untouchable name at the top of the Twins minor-league system.

Archer, more so than Darvish, would allow the Twins the flexibility to continue building their roster without tying themselves down to one massive contract. Matched with Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios, the trio could shoulder the burden of leading a young staff. Archer is also a piece that can be moved again if the return to the playoffs last season was a mere flash in the pan and Minnesota hits a road bump in the next year or two.

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