Tampa Bay Rays news and links: Was that Chris Archer's final start with the Rays?

With rumors swirling, the coming few days could be the last we see for several players in Rays uniforms. If this was the last start Chris Archer delivers with the Rays, he went out on a high note. It was also a very familiar note for Rays starting pitchers: costly errors and not enough run support doom a quality start.

Archer would finish this game with a final line: 7 innings, 4 H, 1 ER, and 8 Ks.

And a not so fun fact before the links:

The Rays are 7-17 in one-run games, worst in the Majors. They’ve lost their last 4 games by one run.

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) July 27, 2016

Links:

- Jon Morosi continues to believe there is a lot of smoke surrounding this TB-LA series. Morosi goes so far to continue his tin-foil hat-esc theory that the Rays set up their rotation to showcase Archer and Moore in LA.

- In Topkin's notes today, he suggests Souza is the odd man out in the outfield. Kevin Cash does note that this has a lot to do with Corey Dickerson's hot streak and needing to see more of Oswaldo Arcia going into the offseason.

- Good news it seems on Alex Cobb's recovery

#Rays Cobb threw a bullpen today in Port Charlotte, felt good. If all stays well, will re-start rehab assignment on Friday with @StoneCrabs

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 27, 2016

Per Rays media notes, Chris Archer leads the AL in strikeouts (147) and losses (13). Would be first AL pitcher since Nolan Ryan to do that.

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) July 26, 2016

- Also, for those keeping their eyes on the Drew Storen situation, he's going to Seattle (which surely means he's coming here after our next Mariners trade)

#Mariners have acquired RHP Drew Storen and cash considerations from Toronto in exchange for RHP Joaquin Benoit.

— Bob Dutton (@TNT_Mariners) July 27, 2016

- There is something incredibly entertaining about the Chris Sale jersey saga, and I really can't get enough. Grant Brisbee breaks down all the whacky details of the drama. Also this happened:

hero pic.twitter.com/GxaTarvjCO

— nick pants (@nick_pants) July 27, 2016

- With the recent blockbuster haul for the Yanks trade of Aroldis Chapman, Dave Cameron analysis the value of relievers, and whether this is the new market value or a bubble ready to burst.

- Beyond the Boxscore looks at which are the biggest possible upgrades by position, with the both Pearce and Longo as big upgrades at the corners.

- Finally, I'd like to link to Jason Collette's tribute to his late father. As someone who also lost his dad far too abruptly and far too soon, I give my absolute deepest of condolences to Mr Collette and his family.