Rays right-hander Chris Archer says he does not expect he’ll be traded this winter, according to a report from Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Per Archer, Tampa Bay GM Neander has “made me feel pretty good about being with the Rays in 2018.”
Sporadic chatter regarding Archer’s potential trade candidacy has been ongoing for years and has reportedly continued into the new year. He has been healthy and productive ever since breaking into the league, even if his bottom-line results (4.07 ERA in 2017) haven’t always been quite as impressive as his peripherals might suggest.
Better still, the 29-year-old’s contract includes four more seasons of cheap control, which helps explain his broad appeal. (Scroll back through his mentions on MLBTR and you’ll find a wide variety of teams linked in some way.) That same factor, though, also means the Rays don’t yet face pressure to cash in their best trade asset.
Though Archer was said to be a point of focus entering the Winter Meetings, no real momentum has seemed to form towards a deal. That could always change, of course; it’s not all that difficult to imagine a team deciding to up its offer for Archer and engage in a dedicated pursuit. Indeed, the resolution of the biggest free-agent pitching situations could tell on the matter, as Topkin points out.
While it doesn’t sound as if Archer has been given any assurances, though, it remains notable that he has been given such a strong indication from Neander and the Tampa Bay front office. The club already dealt away franchise face Evan Longoria, so it’s obvious that nothing is bolted down permanently. But that move did not mandate a broader rebuild. And there’s no real reason for the organization to mis-lead Archer about its intentions.
All things considered, the status quo largely remains intact. But we can perhaps say with some added confidence that the Rays will not simply be putting Archer up for auction and taking the best bid this winter. Any team that hopes to pry him loose will surely need to come with a big offer.
Of course, the team does still have other trade candidates worth keeping an eye on — including rotation-mate Jake Odorizzi. It seems reasonable to anticipate some significant action from the Rays over the coming weeks, though a variety of paths still remain open.
Did the Rays make the right decision trading the face of their franchise, Evan Longoria?
Tells me anyone’s tradeable, they’re open for business.
I think so because he hasn’t been productive enough for them to pay such a large chunk of payroll to him. they got back a young 3b that can be controlled for a long time.
Password you sir are correct. They got a younger more controllable player to fit their shoestring budget. Who knows he could put up better numbers then Longoria.
Another point in trading Longo right before his 10-5 rights was huge as next season he gets the right to veto any trade
We just saw how Miami got raked trying to trade a veteran with a no trade clause and high cost. Yankees gave up garbage for the NL MVP
My added benefit is keeping the low cost of tickets so I always for keeping the younger cheaper options as this the local team.
You’re not mentioning the elephant in the room, which was not his NTC, nearly as much as the $265 million NYY had to agree to pay on his contract. Longo’s contract is bad with or without a NTC.
Well, Longoria was the 1st of 2 faces of franchises that the Giants traded for. The Pirates traded McCutchen simply because he would be gone at the end of the next season anyway. He was not worth resigning for a ton of money. Nor was he worth even extending a QO to. He no doubt would have accepted and the Pirates would have been on the hook for 19-20 million in payroll. He would have been returned even less next off season with that new payroll hit.
Maybe because the Yanks were picking up a huge contract in return. And the Markis did get a prospect ranked in the top 100. But of course, your interest is to attack the Yankees so you need to leave some facts out
Also maybe because the teams he turned down either had crap for prospects,didn’t want to take on that amount,or he felt the Yanks were closer to sustained winning. There’s a few of these guys who try and bash the Yanks no matter the the subject or team the article is about. I’ve been noticing a lot of these trolls posts are getting deleted though,but guys like this still try..even though it’s usually an epic fail like this.
I’m going to think of it like the troy tulowitzki trade for the rockies. Tulo was the face of the franchise at the time and was a big player. The rockies were thought of to maybe rebuild after that but they didnt and contended the next year. The return arguably hasn’t be really in neither teams favor. But for the Rockies, it did open up a spot at shortstop for story and maybe others. I dont know if that was the purpose of the trade, but by trading longoria, I feel like it opens up some spots for certain players like Duffy or Arroyo.i could see them being a big playoff team in a year or two if they don’t do much else with trading long term players
Maybe they don’t want to sell low? I would think that moving him now is smarter than next offseason, with the extra year of control.
They can get just as must at the trade deadline. Thats 4 pennant races for whoever gets him. Market is too slow rn
The Rays don’t HAVE to trade him now. They likely have a price set (probably two of any teams top three prospects plus more) and if nobody meets it, they keep him
Even with three years of control next offseason, Archer should command a excellent package. There’s really no pressure on the Rays to trade him.
Sometimes, teams sign players to long term deals because they actually want that player long term. I know its a hard concept for some people to grasp.
Front offices are being ultra-conservative this offseason. Teams will come knocking by the All-Star break, provided he pitches well.
*Meant to say by the trade deadline.
Oh btw meant to say, you are completely wrong. Not only in this statement, but also the Arrieta one. How has he ever been a primadonna? He’s actually been quite the opposite!
wouldn’t be the first time no one wanted to pay a huge price for someone until the deadline.
Cole Hamels comes to mind
I think front offices are finally going to pay players on what they think their production is moving forward, rather than what they did in the past. As far a Longo goes, he is no longer in the top 10 as far as third basemen, so the Rays had to move him.. The Rays need to relocate and start spending money.
Near year? Near beer.
This offseason is so slow that writers have switched to articles about players not getting traded.
I was about to write the same exact thing
This means he’s getting traded right?
Talk about a non-story
When they say not involved in trade means it will happen.
Archer will start the season with the Rays. That much seems pretty certain at this point. When teams in the hunt start to see injuries to starting pitchers, then he will become one of the hottest commodities in baseball and a desperate team will fork over the prospects the Rays want.
Archers reasoning is that the 2018 off season has already ended. Which it has
There was never any indication Archer was on the market. Just sports writer propaganda and speculation. Hes cheap, hes good and hes signed. Unlike the White Sox, most teams choose to build with those players.
Yeah, and how is that working out for the Rays? I’m sure they’re thrilled with Archer’s 1.2 postseason innings over the last 5 years…
Although, the rays do run the risk in keeping his as well. He could regressor have a significant injury. Value would drop
He also runs the risk of winning a Cy Young award. Whats your point? Every player is an injury risk, even the players they may get back in trade. Guess they should just sell him to the highest bidder for cash.