MLB trade rumors: Yankees among teams battling for Rays’ Chris Archer?

The New York Yankees have been among a couple clubs connected to Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer, according to a report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. General manager Brian Cashman has until Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline to make a deal.

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NEW YORK — Maybe Yankees general manager Brian Cashman isn’t done.

The Yankees are among the teams vying for Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer, according to a report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Jim Bowden.

#Yankees, #Dodgers and #Padres among teams trying for #Rays‘ Chris Archer, sources tell me and @JimBowdenGM.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2018

Some with #Yankees fear #Rays won’t trade Archer within division. But we have seen a number of intra-division trades already. Current GMs generally don’t worry about players “coming back to haunt them.” Works both ways. If TB is going to move Archer, it will take best deal.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2018

The Dodgers and Padres were also looking at Archer, the report said.

With the Rays likely well out of the postseason race, Archer could be the team’s most valuable trade chip. The 29-year-old is 3-5 with a 4.31 ERA in 17 starts. 

Since May 17, he has a 2.70 ERA in eight starts.

Archer won’t be a free agent until 2020.

Braves scout Sonny Gray

The Rays and Yankees traded recently. In the offseason, the teams were involved in a three-team deal that sent third baseman Brandon Drury from the Diamondbacks to the Bronx.

Here are some Yankees doubleheader stats from the team’s PR department going into Saturday’s game:

 Today is the Yankees’ third doubleheader of the season, matching their total from 2017… have split both (7/9 at Baltimore and 6/4 at Detroit).

•  Are 1-4-5 over their last 10 doubleheaders since 2014, but are 6-4-13 in twin bills since the start of 2009… have not swept any of their last nine doubleheaders, their longest such streak since the start of 1980… their last sweep was on 4/16/14 vs. Chicago-NL. 
•  Have not played a doubleheader against the Royals since 8/7/98 at the original Yankee Stadium (Yankees sweep)… are 4-1-2 in seven doubleheaders with Kansas City since 1980, all seven in the Bronx.
•  Since the start of 2014, the Yankees have played 10 doubleheaders… over that same span, LF Brett Gardner has appeared in 17G that are part of DHs (all except G1 on 9/12/14 at Baltimore, G2 on 10/3/15 at Baltimore and G1 on 6/4/18 at Detroit), hitting .381 (24-for-63) with 12R, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 5HR, 16RBI, 5BB, 1SB and 3HP… has reached safely in 16-of-17 games… went 4-for-6 with 3R, 1 double, 1HR and 3RBI on 7/9 (G2) at Baltimore.

  Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.