Chris Archer Archives | Baseball Essential

The Best and Worst Trade of the Decade for the Tampa Bay Rays

Apr 5, 2020

Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions, Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays, despite their lack of World Series success, have been a shining example of how to run a competitive franchise on a low budget in the modern era. They consistently find themselves at the bott...

The Best and Worst Trade of the Decade for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Jason Kelly

Apr 1, 2020

Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions, Pittsburgh Pirates

It has, undoubtedly, been a rough decade for the Pittsburgh Pirates and their faithful fans. The team has found itself at the bottom of the National League Central division for the majority of the last 10 years...

In Hindsight, Tampa Bay Fleeced Pittsburgh in Chris Archer Trade

Robbie Stratakos

Apr 13, 2019

Opinions & Predictions, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays fleeced the Pittsburgh Pirates at last season's Major League Baseball trade deadline. The Rays sent hard-throwing right-hander Chris Archer to the Pirates for outfielder Austin Meadows and...

Some Ideas to Stop Beanball Wars and Bench-Clearing “Brawls” (and Why MLB Won’t Implement Them)

Jeff J. Snider

Apr 9, 2019

Features, Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

I have ideas. Some of those ideas are simple ways to eliminate (or at least drastically reduce) beanball wars and bench-clearing "brawls." I have to put "brawls" in quotes because they're generally more like an...

With the Playoffs Out of Reach, Will the Pirates Regret the Chris Archer Deal?

Jason Kelly

Sep 28, 2018

Opinions & Predictions, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays

The Pittsburgh Pirates went all in on making the playoffs in 2018 when they decided to trade for Chris Archer at the trade deadline back in July. The Pirates gave up three of their top prospects to acquire Arch...

The Tampa Bay Rays Should Not Trade Chris Archer This Season

Robbie Stratakos

Jun 13, 2018

Opinions & Predictions, Tampa Bay Rays

Rebuilding teams tend to trade away their star players to bolster their farm system, and the Tampa Bay Rays have been following that path accordingly. But they'd be wise to hold onto righty Chris Archer through...

Evaluating Starting Pitcher Trade Candidates

Billy Collins

Jun 27, 2017

Major League Baseball, Statistics

As is the case every year, teams will be looking to add pitching at the trade deadline. For most contending teams, their biggest weakness is starting pitching. The Houston Astros rotation could use a steady,...

Report: Texas “All Over” Vince Velasquez

Ryan Waterman

Jul 30, 2016

Headlines, Philadelphia Phillies, Rumors, Texas Rangers

It appears that one year after the Texas Rangers acquired Cole Hamels, the Rangers could visit the well of Philadelphia Phillies pitchers once again. Yesterday, the Miami Marlins acquired right-handed starte...

Tampa Bay Rays: April Report Card

Marvin Oliva

May 3, 2016

Features, Tampa Bay Rays

In a time where teams who do not see a path to perennial playoff appearances go the route of dismantling (i.e. “tanking”) in order to rebuild, the Tampa Bay Rays continue to mix and match parts looking to strik...

Five Stat Friday: Week Three

Jesse Foster

Apr 22, 2016

American League, Features, Headlines, Major League Baseball, National League

1. Chris Archer is an elite pitcher. We all know that. But he is not off to a very good start - and that is being nice. Archer's WHIP sits at 2.08, which means that he is allowing over two base runners per inni...

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