Pirates add Rays’ Archer to bolster rotation
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington remained bullish on his team even after parting with stars Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen in the offseason. Even after a swoon through June wiped out a hot start. Even after his club found itself floundering in early July.
And when the Pirates responded with a 15-4 surge that seemed to validate his optimism, he sent a message at the nonwaiver trade deadline. The Pirates are intent on winning. Not just in 2018, but beyond.
Pittsburgh acquired starting pitcher Chris Archer from Tampa Bay and closer Keone Kela from the Texas Rangers in moves that cost the team top prospects in outfielder Austin Meadows and
pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Taylor Hearn as well as two players to be named.
The decision to deal three players considered a part of the club’s next wave wasn’t easy. But Huntington believed it was necessary to bolster a group that has a chance to reach the playoffs.
The Pirates entered Tuesday night’s game against the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs 3½ games out of the second wild-card spot thanks to a torrid stretch that began July 8.
“Given the quality of the core, the players we have and those who are still on the horizon, the ability to add two players such as this, we feel, pushed us into a higher level and allows us to believe we are going to be one of those teams that has a legitimate chance to make the postseason not only this year (but beyond),” Huntington said.
Archer, a two-time All-Star, is 3-5 with a 4.31 ERA in 17 starts this season for the Rays. The 29-year-old adds experience to a Pirates rotation that includes three starters — Jameson Taillon, Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove — 26 or younger.
“I’m excited,” Archer said following a round of hugs in the Tampa Bay clubhouse shortly after the deal was announced. “They’re super-hot right now, and they want me. They gave up their top two guys. Guys with some really good upside. I’m excited to be part of the organization that wants me, part of a rich baseball history, a hard-working community. I can’t wait to get there.”