Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chris Archer has long been coveted by the Texas Rangers. Archer also didn’t pitch in 2020 due to surgery in June for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, and while he is expected to be healthy for 2021, Jon Heyman mentioned on Twitter yesterday that the Pirates aren’t expected to exercise their team option on him ($11 million with a $125,000 buyout) for next season.
Which got me thinking?
Archer, 32, is an interesting case. Originally a fifth round draft pick of the Cleveland Indians in 2006, Archer was one of three players dealt to the Chicago Cubs on New Year’s Eve, 2008, for Mark DeRosa.