MLB Trade Deadline 2018: One player on each team likeliest to be dealt
By Brad Weiss
![BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 30: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles heads to the dugout against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 30: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles heads to the dugout against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/877239c79f1e23e890b9c2d15f3c9871774e3ef0dd26b26da3db7e76f3269a5e.jpg)
Tampa Bay Rays: Chris Archer
The Tampa Bay Rays are once again one of the worst teams in the AL East, and even as early as July, they seem to already be out of the race for the division. The East is going to be won by either the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees, two teams who could definitely add a piece or two at the trade deadline.
For the Rays, they still have some very valuable assets on their team, including one at the top of their pitching rotation. Chris Archer has long been one of the better arms in the American League, but playing on the Rays, he never really gets the kind of spotlight that he deserves.
When it comes to the trading deadline, the Rays could finally move Archer for some pieces that could help the franchise in the long run. Archer performance has been down as of late, but he has battled injuries, and a new franchise could give his career a fresh start.
The issue with moving Archer, or another team prying him from Tampa Bay, is the fact that he is controllable up until the 2021 season. That means it is going to take a lot for a team to grab him for the playoff race, but even if it takes a lot of assets to grab him, he will be worth it once the team makes the playoffs.
Tampa Bay is a lost franchise right now, and though they pulled off some miracle seasons in their history, the question has to be asked whether or not the sport can survive in Tampa Bay. They have had some incredible players come through the organization, but if you aren’t going to pay anybody, the fans will see their favorite players leave via trade or free agency eventually.