As the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline draws near, there’s no denying the clubs searching for starting pitching outnumbers those with pitchers on the block. That’s particularly true in terms of aces who may be available.
The Chicago White Sox reportedly are considering moving Chris Sale but at this stage don’t appear completely set on doing so. Chicago also has Jose Quintana who is believed to be drawing interest. The Tampa Bay Rays are another team rich with starting pitchers, namely Chris Archer and Matt Moore.
Archer has predominantly been linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he was sure to impress at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, throwing seven strong innings in a tough-luck loss.
On top of being young and talented pitchers, Archer and Moore are under team control for multiple seasons, further increasing their trade value.
However, according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, clubs are getting the sense Tampa Bay may not yet move the likes of Archer, Moore, or Jake Odorizzi:
Several teams that have had conversations with the Rays have concluded they’re perfectly willing — and leaning toward — hanging on to their big assets and waiting to act during the winter, when they can engage with 29 MLB teams rather than a handful making playoff pushes.
Archer’s contract includes club options for 2020 and 2021, while Moore has options on his deal from 2017-19. Even if the Rays elect to stand pat at the deadline, they conceivably could land quite the haul for any of their young pitchers come the offseason.
The same holds true for the White Sox and Sale, who is under team control through the 2019 season. In contrast to last winter when several aces hit free agency, this year’s crop of soon-to-be available starters pales in comparison.
