MLB trade rumors: Is Rays' Chris Archer a low-risk, high-reward option for Yankees?

by Felix Pantaleon

The Tampa Bay Rays might trade starting pitchers Blake Snell, Nathan Eovaldi and Chris Archer before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver deadline. Archer returned from the disabled list on Monday, July 9, 2018 (7/9/18) and was hit hard by the Detroit Tigers in Tampa Bay’s 10-9 win.

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The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is in exactly three weeks, and the market for starting pitching is taking shape.

At the top of the list are Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels, Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ and Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer.

San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner would jump to the front of the line if he’s made available.

Then there are the Tampa Bay Rays. At 46-44, they are in fourth place in the American League wild card race, but 10.5 games back. If they sell, the Rays have three valuable commodities: Left-hander Blake Snell and right-handers Nathan Eovaldi and Chris Archer.

Of the three, Archer is the biggest question mark. He returned from the disabled list Monday, but didn’t do much to raise his trade value.

Archer landed on the DL in early June with an abdominal strain.

In his return, he lasted just 3.1 innings against the Detroit Tigers, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks. Archer took a no-decision in the Rays’ 10-9 win.

Archer saw his ERA rise to 4.41, but he feels better days are ahead, per the Tampa Bay Times:

“It stinks that I gave up a few runs later in the game there,” Archer said after the game. “I’m knocking some rust off. I think my stuff’s going to get crisper and crisper and the results will be better next time.”

Yanks mailbag: Price for Snell

If Archer can get on track quickly, he could be an intriguing trade deadline candidate.

The 29-year-old is under team control through 2021. According to Spotrac, his base salary this year is $6.25 million. It goes up to $7.5 million in 2019, with a pair of club options in 2020 and 2021 at $8.25 million per season. The contract also includes a $1.75 million buyout in 2020.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.