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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 teams who should have interest in Chris Archer

By Brad Berreman

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 02: Chris Archer #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the first innng 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 pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the first innng during their game at Safeco Field on June 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images /

3. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks once led the NL West, but the Dodgers’ good run over the last two months has finally usurped them and the Colorado Rockies’ current seven-game winning streak has pushed Arizona into third place now (however narrowly).

Patrick Corbin (3.24 ERA, 11.0 K.9, 2.6 BB/9) and Zack Greinke (3.18 ERA, 9.2 K/9, 1.7 BB/9) have been a nice 1-2 atop Arizona’s starting rotation this year. But after that things get thin, with Taijuan Walker (Tommy John surgery) out for the season, Shelby Miller (11.40 ERA in four starts) having some further elbow trouble recently after coming back from his own Tommy John surgery and Robbie Ray not pitching well (5.37 ERA in 11 starts this year) after he missed two months with an oblique strain. Clay Buchholz was a nice find before being injured himself, with a 2.56 ERA and a 1.6 BB/9 over seven starts, but on a good team he’s a back end of the rotation starter at best.

Swinging a deal for Archer would give Arizona an enviable 1-2-3 at the top of their rotation. It would look like an all-in move for this year on the surface, and it would surely qualify. But the chance to compete with the Dodgers in 2019 and beyond would also be enhanced with Archer in place for three full seasons.

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