Phillies trade rumors: Team scouting Chris Archer’s next start
Phillies trade rumors are sparking yet again
The latest Phillies trade rumors surround the Tampa Bay Rays with Jon Morosi of MLB.com reporting the team will be in attendance when Chris Archer makes his next start. Morosi says the Phillies are interested in Archer, and were in attendance when he struck out 13 batters in his last start.
Currently, Archer is scheduled to pitch on Friday against the Baltimore Orioles, four days before the trade deadline. Philadelphia has been very involved with the Orioles during the trade deadline with Manny Machado, Zach Britton, and now Adam Jones.
Tampa Bay traded pitchers Nathan Eovaldi and Matt Andriese in separate deals on Wednesday, and with the lack of a starting pitching market, appear more likely to deal Archer.
Archer is under team control through 2021, increasing his value and making him the Rays biggest trade chip.
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Once thought to be a rising star for the Rays, Archer’s career hasn’t progressed as many hoped. After finishing third in the 2013 Rookie of the Year vote and fifth in the 2015 Cy Young balloting, Archer has a 4.09 ERA in 83 starts.
This year Archer is 3-4 with a 4.30 ERA in 16 starts for the Rays, who sit towards the bottom of the American League.
Phillies general manager Matt Klentak has said he hopes to avoid the starting pitching market at the trade deadline, killing the hopes of a reunion with either Cole Hamels or J.A. Happ.
The Phillies starting rotation has been stellar lately with a 3.59 ERA in the month of July. Now 1.5 games above the Atlanta Braves in the National League East, the once rebuilding Phillies could turn towards contending with a big move at the trade deadline.