With the MLB non-waiver trade deadline less than six hours away, there’s plenty of buzz building over who may be moved Tuesday. Two of the more prominent names available on the market are Tampa Bay Rays ace Chris Archer and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper.
Archer has seemingly been on the trading block at the deadline for several seasons running now, while the Nationals face a bit of uncertainty with both their outlook this year and Harper as he’s set to become a free agent during the offseason.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been loosely connected to both players, but a trade for Archer would appear more likely. However small that probability is in itself.
While the Dodgers remain in the picture for Archer, it’s the San Diego Padres who may be leading the pack to acquire the right-hander, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred:
archer has routinely been on block for years. but as he said this time it feels different. plus, folks in the rays org seem to suggest it has a good chance of happening. padres seen as favorites. brewers, braves, pirates, dodgers, yankees (tho they seem set now w/ happ/lynn)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2018
The Padres’ chances of trading for Archer were later downplayed, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network:
Source: #Padres pursuit of Chris Archer has lost momentum, although circumstances could change in coming hours. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2018
Archer is 3-5 with a 4.31 ERA, 3.62 FIP and 1.38 WHIP in 17 starts this season. It’s a third consecutive season in which he’s on track to finish with an ERA above 4.00.
Despite some of the struggles over recent years, the 29-year-old is viewed as a frontline-caliber starting pitcher. Making Archer even more attractive is his team-friendly contract and being under control through 2021.
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