The Pirates Already Look like Big Losers in the Chris Archer Deal

Last Summer at the MLB Trading Deadline, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired two-time All-Star Chris Archer in a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. At the time it seemed as if everyone was singing praises towards the Pirates front office. The small market team made a splash in the MLB landscape, showing fans that they want to win. But sadly the trade has not helped at all.

Sitting at 28-30, the Pirates are fourth in the National League Central. They have had an outstanding season from first baseman Josh Bell, reliever Felipe Vasquez, and starters Jordan Lyles and Trevor Williams. Archer though? He has been very ineffective for the Buc’s.

Last year in 10 starts Archer went 3-3 with a 4.30 ERA. Not atrocious like this season. In 2019 Archer is 2-5 in 9 starts with a 5.66 ERA. Now that’s atrocious.

I never bought into the hype that Archer was this Justin Verlander type waiting in the wings, but I also did not expect him to fall flat as his MLB career has continued. His strikeouts per 9 innings is his worst since 2014, his WHIP is the worst it’s ever been, and Archer is walking almost five guys per 9. When the Pirates traded for this guy, they expected to get a number 1 / 2 starter, yet he is pitching like a guy that belongs in the bullpen as a long reliever.

I still do not believe Archer is as bad as he is playing, but at 30-years-old how much more can you expect from him? Has he already hit his ceiling? Is there any room for growth? Can he regain the form he was pitching at from 2013-2015? Time will tell, but even if Archer gets back to that spot the Pirates look like big losers in this deal.

When acquiring Archer from Tampa, Pittsburgh sent starter Tyler Glasnow, outfielder Austin Meadows, and a player-to-be-named-later (Shane Baz) to the Rays. Both Glasnow and Meadows were top prospects for Pittsburgh but they apparently valued them less than Archer. Big mistake.

In an attempt to become a contender Pittsburgh sent away two young studs who have paced the Rays in a stellar 2019 season. The Rays sit at 35-22, best for fourth in the majors. Meadows is sporting a .357 with 12 homers, while Glasnow was firmly in front of the Cy Young race before getting injured. Not to mention that the PTBNL Baz has been excellent in the minors this year.

You have to give the Pirates some credit for taking a shot on something like this, but it appears like a big swing and a miss. This trade could go down as one of the worst in history if the young guys keep it up while Archer continues to struggle.

-Jarrod Ribaudo (@Jribs53)