Boy, this is such a shocking turn for a team that seemed totally out of the race just a week and a half ago. But here we go:
I’m told the Pirates have a deal in place to acquire Chris Archer.
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) July 31, 2018
sources: pirates are moving closer to a deal for Chris Archer
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2018
Hearing #Rays trade of Archer is becoming very, very likely, as high as “90 percent.” Only question now is where – #Braves, #Brewers, #Pirates have been most speculated. And there are always the #Dodgers
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2018
Archer, 29, is as known for his team-friendly contract as his performance (so-so results, excellent peripherals). The Pirates will be getting him for three seasons after this one, and he’ll also help push them more seriously in their playoff races this year.
Kinda feels like this week’s games against the Pirates just got more important, eh?
More soon.
UPDATE: The return is a post-hype pitcher, a maybe-starting-caliber outfielder, and an unnamed third piece:
Sources: The Rays will be getting Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow back in the deal for Chris Archer. @JimBowdenGM first mentioned them as possibilities.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2018
And the Rays are gonna get really creative with their starting strategy:
Welp. Time for the even bolder zero-man rotation. pic.twitter.com/vijvGmGpDT
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 31, 2018