Archer

[juliogotay]

there are several reports out saying Houston is very interested in Archer. One says up to 9 clubs are interested with Houston being one. One report says Houston is one of the more active teams in pursuit. You would think TB would not accept less than at least one of Tucker/Whitely and would ask for both of course. I think Archer has four years left on his current deal.

[MusicMan]

He’s been league average the last 2 years. He’d be our third or fourth starter, depending on what we do with LMJ. I’m not giving up Tucker or Whitley for that.


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

there are several reports out saying Houston is very interested in Archer. One says up to 9 clubs are interested with Houston being one. One report says Houston is one of the more active teams in pursuit. You would think TB would not accept less than at least one of Tucker/Whitely and would ask for both of course. I think Archer has four years left on his current deal.

For the sake of his career he needs to get out of St Pete. He has regressed the past two years. I think he needs a change of scenery because he has really good stuff and is a student of the game. He would look great in an Astros uni. Plus he just seems like a real cool guy.

[Reuben]

For the sake of his career he needs to get out of St Pete. He has regressed the past two years. I think he needs a change of scenery because he has really good stuff and is a student of the game. He would look great in an Astros uni. Plus he just seems like a real cool guy.

Agree with this, but I also agree with MM that I wouldn't give up Tucker or Whitley for him. Bukauskas, maybe. Alvarez, sure.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Agree with this, but I also agree with MM that I wouldn't give up Tucker or Whitley for him. Bukauskas, maybe. Alvarez, sure.

I would trade Tucker if they'd do it straight up. Next season is going to be tougher. Yanks and Angels have improved themselves, the Astros need to keep pace.

[NeilT]

For the sake of his career he needs to get out of St Pete. He has regressed the past two years. I think he needs a change of scenery because he has really good stuff and is a student of the game. He would look great in an Astros uni. Plus he just seems like a real cool guy.

It'd almost be a shame to loose his interactions with Orbit. 

[Jacksonian]

He’s been league average the last 2 years. He’d be our third or fourth starter, depending on what we do with LMJ. I’m not giving up Tucker or Whitley for that.


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A lot of people were saying that kind of thing about Verlander.  Being on a contender can do wonders.

[Reuben]

A lot of people were saying that kind of thing about Verlander.  Being on a contender can do wonders.

Archer doesn’t hold a candle to Verlander, except in K’s (and Verlander had a CY-worthy 2016). I think he’s better than he has showed the last two years, but he’s not so great that he’d be worth a Tucker or Whitley, in my opinion.

[juliogotay]

Archer doesn’t hold a candle to Verlander, except in K’s (and Verlander had a CY-worthy 2016). I think he’s better than he has showed the last two years, but he’s not so great that he’d be worth a Tucker or Whitley, in my opinion.

I'm leaning to yours and MMs opinion on this one. If we could maybe make Martes the centerpiece it may be exciting.

[Aussie Astro]

He would be a nice addition, I watch TB a lot and would take Cobb over Archer though.   On their best days Archer is probably the better of the two but Cobb is a lot more consistent.  The difference between Archers best and his worst is huge. I sometimes wonder if outside stuff affects him game.

[TerryPuhl21]

This really intrigues me a lot. Mainly because I am convinced that the Astros will not pony up the dollars to resign Keuchel after this season. The internal options to replace Dallas are Whitley, Armenteros, Perez, Martes or Bukauskus. Would you rather gamble with one of those candidates or trade for a proven major league starter with 4 years of “cheap” controllability?? I say you grab Archer.

The thought of trading Whitley last year was a deal killer for me. Now I’m not so sure. If you could have a starting rotation of Verlander, Keuchel, Archer, McCullers and Morton I would lean towards making that deal. It would cost more than Whitley. Archer has the most club friendly contract in the game outside of Altuve’s. To acquire him with 4 years left on that contract will hurt, but it might be well worth the price. A pitcher of Archer’s talent is going to cost a ton on the open market. You could have him for the next 4 years at a lower price per year than what Dallas is projected to be awarded in arbitration this year. I think the Astros should seriously consider this deal as long as the Rays will accept something other than Whitley AND Tucker.


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[Ty in Tampa]

If the Rays deal Archer it will not be an easy get. They are entering full rebuild mode and are well aware of what they have and need for that to be a success. I have no idea who they are targeting but I would imagine from the Astros, Tucker would top that list.

[HudsonHawk]

Archer can pitch for my team any day of the week.  Perhaps I have an unreasonable affection for him, and I certainly wouldn't sell the farm to get him.  But if he's available for a decent price, I'm definitely in. 

[das]

Archer can pitch for my team any day of the week.  Perhaps I have an unreasonable affection for him, and I certainly wouldn't sell the farm to get him.  But if he's available for a decent price, I'm definitely in.

+1.  I love that he is a student of the game as well.  I tend to think that would fit in well with the analytics-grounded approach this team takes with pitching.  While it is great to see the impact it can have on changing the career trajectories like a McHugh, Peacock or Morton, I'd love to see it in action with someone that had Archer's talent and head for the game.  Heck, getting him out of dismal TB and in the great clubhouse in Houston could be an uptick as well.

[Kit]

For the sake of his career he needs to get out of St Pete. He has regressed the past two years. I think he needs a change of scenery because he has really good stuff and is a student of the game. He would look great in an Astros uni. Plus he just seems like a real cool guy.

+ 1.  I wanted to get him last year. he'd make a great Astro.

[Mr. Happy]

I’m curious as to the reason for his regression. He had a good pitching coach in Jim Hickey, who’s now in Chicago with the FTC. I sure love his arm and his makeup. I agree with HH: I’d take him at a reasonable price in a heartbeat.

[jaklewein]

I agree with HH: I’d take him at a reasonable price in a heartbeat.

Obviously the word "reasonable" is one that can be judged from many different perspectives.  What can't be argued however, is that Archer is controllable for 4 more seasons at a very cost effective (notice I did not use the word reasonable) price.  It's going to take a pretty big haul to land this guy, bottom line.  A good barometer might be the Quintana deal from last season.  Performance, price and controllable years are all very similar to Archer's situation.  The Cubs gave up a top 5 prospect in baseball, a top 75 prospect in baseball and then two lesser known minor leaguers.   I'll let those who know far more about our farm system lay down a comparable deal.

[juliogotay]

Obviously the word "reasonable" is one that can be judged from many different perspectives.  What can't be argued however, is that Archer is controllable for 4 more seasons at a very cost effective (notice I did not use the word reasonable) price.  It's going to take a pretty big haul to land this guy, bottom line.  A good barometer might be the Quintana deal from last season.  Performance, price and controllable years are all very similar to Archer's situation.  The Cubs gave up a top 5 prospect in baseball, a top 75 prospect in baseball and then two lesser known minor leaguers.   I'll let those who know far more about our farm system lay down a comparable deal.

I doubt Luhnow would be any quicker to do this then with Quintana. From a prospect standpoint Verlander was a steal.

[Navin R Johnson]

I doubt Luhnow would be any quicker to do this then with Quintana. From a prospect standpoint Verlander was a steal.

And he had to be goaded to make that deal.  I can't imagine Luhnow giving up either Tucker or Whitely to acquire Archer.   I'd guess he'd be willing to do something like Bukauskas, Martes and a lower level guy.

[JimR]

And he had to be goaded to make that deal.  I can't imagine Luhnow giving up either Tucker or Whitely to acquire Archer.   I'd guess he'd be willing to do something like Bukauskas, Martes and a lower level guy.

You are on the record about Verlander. What is the story on Keuchel?

[Navin R Johnson]

Sounds like he is kinda a pain in the ass.   Should have an update this weekend.

[chuck]

How close is Whitley supposed to be?

[jbm]

How close is Whitley supposed to be?

I really don't know and should thus not talk, but he's progressed so far so quickly, I'd assume that if this was Astros circa 2013, we'd see him late in the year. Since this is the 2017 version of the club, I'd assume 2019.

[Navin R Johnson]

I'd think mid season 2019, if he has another great year.  He has only thrown 110 innings in pro ball so far.

[Jacksonian]

I'd think mid season 2019, if he has another great year.  He has only thrown 110 innings in pro ball so far.

If he’s called up mid-season 19 then there are injuries to the rotation or someone in the bullpen sucks.

Otherwise a stunningly good 18 may lead to a rotation spot to start 19.

If the 19 team is solidly veteran and WS contender talented then a rotation spot to start 20 is where he’d be.

There are enough question marks to the pitching staff after 18 that his callup may have everything to do with his performance rather than being blocked and waiting for an opening.