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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: Eric Espada/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Eric Espada/Getty Images /

1. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are a little ahead of schedule this year under first-year manager Gabe Kapler, with a half-game lead in the NL East entering Sunday. But internal expectations appear to be in line with that standing.

Back in February, in the midst of a lot of trade speculation around the Rays’ ace, Matt Gelb of The Athletic mentioned Archer specifically (along with Royals lefty Danny Duffy) as a potential in-season trade target. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe also linked Archer to the Phillies around the same time. A deep farm system, and some controllable pieces Tampa Bay would surely want, lines Philadelphia up as a suitor for Archer.

Next: Indians shore up bullpen by trading for Brad Hand

Phillies owner John Middleton also mentioned Archer by name last offseason, as he offered thoughts on the cost of a trade to acquire him.

“What Tampa’s asking for Archer or what the Pirates are asking for Cole, I don’t want to say it’s extortion, but it’s an arm and a leg,”

General manager Matt Klentak has suggested a desire to obtain a young, skilled and controllable starting pitcher. Archer fits all of those bills, approaching 30 (Sept. 26), with a 3.68 career ERA (9.7 career K.9) and due $27.5 million in salary from 2019-2021 (options for 2020 and 2021). As the Phillies look to make a playoff push down the stretch, Archer might be the guy to bring it all together in the starting rotation.

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