Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer is one of the more intriguing names on the trade market this month, and he may be inching closer to a new destination.
ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported that he has been told by an executive that the chances of Archer going to the Los Angeles Dodgers are high.
Exec from team that's been talking with the Rays says he sees such a good fit with Dodgers, places odds at "70 pct" Chris Archer lands in LA
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 21, 2016
The matchup makes sense on many levels. The Dodgers need pitching, especially with their ace on the shelf, and the Dodgers are run by former Rays GM Andrew Friedman. The two organizations know each other well.
Archer will not come cheap, however. He’s reportedly available only if the Rays get an offer they can’t refuse. He’s having a rather strange season, striking out 147 in 123.1 innings though combining that with a 4.60 ERA. Last season he finished with a 3.23 ERA and finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting, so he has a track record that the Dodgers would be banking on if they did make a deal for him.
