BRADENTON, Fla. -- Chris Archer's the Pirates' elder statesman in more ways than being oldest on the roster at 31. He's among the few with experience in contention. He's among the brightest in any context. He brings an unparalleled work ethic. He's also the highest-paid. And as all of that and more, he commands universal respect in this little world.
Put it this way: When the Felipe Vazquez news broke late last summer, Archer was the clubhouse's choice to speak for the players on the matter. And he did so artfully and authoritatively.