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The Chris Archer trade watch continues as the talks have intensified according to a report from Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.
The #Rays trade talks on Chris Archer are "intensifying'' as the deadline nears, sources say. Still hard to handicap if anyone will ante up with the return Tampa Bay wants. It's a No. 1 starter type of price tag, and he's under team control through 2021. Multiple teams involved.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 28, 2018
Chris Archer is the best starter left on the market that actually has a chance of being dealt, with Jacob DeGrom likely staying put in New York.
The Rays ace’s 2018 season has been lackluster, but he has spent all of his career in the tough American League East, and he has a very team friendly contract that keeps him under team control through the 2021 season, so the price to acquire him will be steep.
Chris Archer’s trade value has been compared to Jose Quintana, but as noted above, the Rays may be asking for even more given their lack of motivation to move such an affordable and talented arm.
One of the few teams that continue to express interest and have what it takes in terms of the package is the San Diego Padres (written about here), whom Jeff Passan reports are still in talks with the Rays, but are currently balking at the Rays asking price.
Sources: Rays and Padres continue to discuss Chris Archer, and one source says they've made progress. TB has shown a greater willingness than in past to deal him, teams say, but the price remains high, and SD is balking for now. As @jcrasnick said, other teams involved, too.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 28, 2018
Archer started last night for the Rays against Baltimore and isn’t slated to pitch again until after the trade deadline passed on Tuesday afternoon, so it’s possible he may have pitched his last game in a Rays uniform.
So is this really going to happen?
The guys at Cespedes Family BBQ may speak for all of us when it comes to Archer trade rumors, as they have become a talking point the past few trade deadlines and off-seasons.
Chris Archer trade rumors have far surpassed Boy Who Cried Wolf territory so I will believe nothing until I see him throw two full innings for a team that is not the Rays https://t.co/GfLfkhLNUm
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) July 28, 2018
What say you?
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