REPORT: Cubs interested in two-time All-Star pitcher |
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have been at the center of plenty of trade talks involving pitchers these past few weeks, and the latest rumor involves Tampa Bay Rays starter Chris Archer.
According to MLB.com reporter Jon Morosi, Archer is being coveted by several teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Philadelphia Phillies, the San Diego Padres and the Cubs.
A right-hander who has pitched for the Rays since entering the big leagues in 2012, Archer played under current Cubs and former Rays manager Joe Maddon. Archer, an All-Star in 2015 and 2017, is currently 3-4 with a 4.30 for a Rays team that is in the running for a Wild Card. Due to team options, Archer is effectively under contract through 2021, and, at 29 years old, he likely still has several years of quality pitching ahead of him. Therefore, the Rays might not make it easy for another team to trade for Archer. The Cubs are serious contenders to acquire Archer, though, and have been scouting him. In fact, Cubs scouts were in attendance to watch Archer collect a season-high 13 strikeouts in a six-inning start this past Sunday. As many as eight teams have inquired with the Rays about Archer's availability, so the members of the Cubs front office could have their work cut out for them. With starter Yu Darvish battling lingering injury issues and fellow starter Tyler Chatwood struggling to perform at a consistently high level, the Cubs could certainly use another quality starting pitcher as they gear up for their postseason push, and Archer could be the answer.
