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Could The Atlanta Braves Go After Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer?

By Josh Brown

Jul 8, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 8, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s that exciting time of the year again. The time of the year, right before the MLB trade deadline when everyone’s got their take. But for now, Braves GM John Coppolella has been silent, in true Coppy form.

According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, there are currently eight teams interested in Tampa Bay starting pitcher Chris Archer.

If you’re wondering what it would take to pry away Archer from the Rays, it was reported that they wanted Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows from the Pittsburgh Pirates. That’s a tall order.

Related Story: Atlanta Braves Trade Outlook

So here’s my take. If that’s what Tampa Bay wanted from the Pirates for Chris Archer, I believe the Atlanta Braves can answer their needs and still have an incredibly strong farm system.

Chris Archer is one of my favorite non-Brave and he has been for quite some time. He’s not having his best season, but that doesn’t bother me. He’s still only 27-year-old and I think he’s much better than his current 4.60 ERA.

Why the Braves should pounce on Chris Archer:

  • Archer is signed through 2019 (for $18 million total) with team options for 2020 ($9 million) and 2021 ($11 million). For a pitcher of his high-caliber (in my opinion) he is inexpensive and under team control for the next five years.
  • He has a career 3.56 ERA and finished fifth in Cy Young voting last season after winning 12 games with a 3.23 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 212 innings. Plus, he strikes out more than a batter per inning.
  • Even though he’s having the worst season of his career (keep in mind that he’ still just 27-years-old) he leads the American League in strikeouts with 147 in 123 innings.
  • He’s just downright awesome. He’s one of the most community-involved players in the MLB, was raised by his grandparents, donates to charities more than others, and is outstanding in interviews.

If the Braves do go after Chris Archer, just imagine a starting rotation in 2017 with Julio Teheran, Folty and Archer. And if Matt Wisler can figure things out, plus so many young arms to choose from by Opening Day 2017, you’d have the makings of a heck of a pitching staff.

If the Pirates are interested in some Braves pitching prospects, I’d certainly entertain some offers if the return included Chris Archer. The only scary thing could be if any potential traded included some big-name prospects (whom I won’t even mention), at which point Braves fans might temporarily lose the plot.

Next: Fred gives us his Atlanta Braves trade outlook

It’s no secret that the Bravos need bats as they go into their new stadium in 2017, but if they’re able to land a guy like Archer plus adequate help at the plate, without giving up too much, the ship might get turned around.

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