Washington Nationals Trade Traget: Chris Archer

Could the Washington Nationals look to acquire Rays Starting Pitcher Chris Archer before the August 1 trade deadline?

Starting pitching has been a big strength for the Washington Nationals through this point of the season. Stephen Strasburg (13-0 2.51 ERA), Tanner Roark (9-5 2.82 ERA) and Max Scherzer (10-6 2.94 ERA) have all had great seasons, and have carried the Nationals in many games. Although the top three have been great, Gio Gonzalez (5-8 4.70 ERA) has really struggled since the first month of the year, and Joe Ross (7-4 3.49 ERA) is currently on the Disabled List with a shoulder injury.

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Washington Nationals were rumored to have a scout in Tampa Friday night when Chris Archer and the Rays took on the Baltimore Orioles.

However, Buster Olney of ESPN reported Sunday night that Archer isn’t likely to be traded unless the Rays get a huge return:

With that being said, it does raise the question would Archer be a fit with the Nats, and how much would they have to give up to get the Tampa Bay ace?

Coming into the 2016 season, Archer looked primed for a great year. Coming of an All-Star 2015 campaign (12-13 3.23 ERA), the Rays looked for their ace right-hander to break out in 2016. So far, things have not gone well for Archer, as he has struggled mightily, posting a 4-13 record with an alarming 4.68 ERA. Although Archer has not had a great year, he may still look like an appealing option at the deadline for contending teams.

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Archer is under team control until the 2022 season, and his salary gets no higher than $9 million per year. The former All-Star still has tons of talent, and maybe a change of scenery could bring him back to his old form. If the Washington Nationals try to acquire Archer, it take a big package of players, as Archer has six more years of team control.

One thing that could push the Washington Nationals to be aggressive for Archer would be if Ross’s injury lingers on. If the Nats believe Ross may be out for a while, and do not want to rush Lucas Giolito into a playoff push in his first big league season, they may look to acquire a starter like Archer at the deadline. If the Nationals did get Archer, it would take some of their top prospects.

The Rays need middle infield help, and for a player of Archer’s caliber, the Nats would probably have to give up young infield prospect Trea Turner. Tampa could also use an outfielder with some power, so Michael Taylor may be an intriguing option for them. If the Washington Nationals were to give up these two players, they probably only would have to add a lower level pitching prospect, such as Austin Voth, who is having a very good year at triple-A Syracuse.

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A package of Turner, Taylor, and Voth may convince the Rays to pull the trigger, but it would be a lot to give up. It also would probably signify this is the final year for Gonzalez in Washington, as the club has a $12 million option on his contact this offseason.

A rotation next season of Strasburg, Scherzer, Roark, Archer, and Giolito would be very exciting. However, in my opinion, the Nationals would have to give up too much to get Archer. I believe at the deadline the Washington Nationals should focus more on their bullpen, and trust their starters to carry the load. Plus, even if they do need a starter, it sounds like Archer won’t be one of those options.