Fansided

Top 25 tradeable pieces to keep an eye on this season

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 02: Chris Archer #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after giving up an RBI single to Nelson Cruz #23 in the third inning to score Jean Segura #2 of the Seattle Mariners during their game at Safeco Field on June 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 02: Chris Archer #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after giving up an RBI single to Nelson Cruz #23 in the third inning to score Jean Segura #2 of the Seattle Mariners during their game at Safeco Field on June 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

14. Chris Archer

The Tampa Bay Rays have already pulled the trigger on a trade that sent outfielder Denard Span and closer Alex Colome to the Seattle Mariners. Dealing an aging outfielder and a reliever a bloated ERA who was allowing ten hits per nine does not necessarily show the Rays are ready to wave the white flag on this season, but it is a sign that they are willing to part with key pieces on their active roster.

Right-hander Chris Archer has been on and off the block for the Rays for the past three seasons, but they have yet to pull the trigger on a deal. Archer’s numbers have been going in the wrong direction since the 2016 season but he is still on a very team-friendly contract.

The Rays do not have to be in any sort of hurry to trade their number-one starter, but there should be more urgency than in recent years. Archer is signed through next year and has team options for 2020 and 2021. The total value of the next three years of his contract is $27.7 million — below market value even if he continues pitching more like a mid-rotation starter than a frontline starter.

Archer continues to deal with a nagging groin injury and has his lowest strikeout numbers since 2014. At 29, the right-hander still has plenty of time to get back on track and match the numbers he put up from 2013 to 2015 where he went 31-29 with a 3.26 ERA. If the Rays do not trade Archer and his numbers do not flip back in the right direction, his trade value will take another hit. A package like the one the Chicago White Sox got for Chris Sale would have been possible at one point for the Rays, but looks less likely now.

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