Pirates have deal for Chris Archer from Rays

The Pirates have a deal in place to acquire right-hander Chris Archer from the Rays, according to Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The package going to the Rays includes outfielder Austin Meadows, right-hander Tyler Glasnow and a player to be named later, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Archer was one of few frontline starters available on the market at this Trade Deadline, and he shouldn't merely be a rental -- he is controllable through 2021, with team-friendly options of $9 million for 2020 and $11 million for 2021. The Pirates traded longtime ace Gerrit Cole to the Astros this past offseason.

This lines up well for the Pirates, who have rocketed into…